Chicago @ Texas preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 29, 2018 ) Chi. White Sox 3, Texas 11

While any chance they had of challenging for a playoff spot likely fell by the wayside once they dropped 17 games under .500 in mid-June, the Texas Rangers knew taking advantage of a favorable schedule over the rest of the month could give them an opportunity to get back to the even mark. The Rangers hope to secure a fifth straight series victory Saturday, when they continue a three-game home series against the Chicago White Sox.

Texas (37-46) appeared to be in danger of vying for the worst record in the majors only two weeks ago following a seventh straight loss on June 15, but the club has played very well since a 27-44 start, winning 10 of its first 13 during a 15-game stretch against sub-.500 opponents. The Rangers belted five homers on their way to an 11-3 rout in Friday's series opener and are averaging six runs while allowing three or fewer nine times during their surge. After seemingly finding their offense over the previous five contests, the White Sox struggled to put enough runs on the board for a second consecutive game en route to their fourth straight road defeat. Tim Anderson went hitless in three at-bats Friday as Chicago managed only five hits, but he still is batting .423 over his last seven contests.

TV: 9:05 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, FS Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH Carlos Rodon (1-2, 3.70 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Bartolo Colon (4-5, 4.72)

Rodon worked eight innings for only the fourth time in 67 career starts in Sunday's victory against Oakland, yielding two runs and seven hits. The North Carolina State product has allowed no more than two earned runs in three of his four turns since returning from the 60-day disabled list following shoulder surgery. Rougned Odor is 4-for-8 with a double, but Adrian Beltre is 1-for-6 versus Rodon, who is 1-0 with a 3.91 ERA in four career starts against Texas.

Colon continued his pattern of alternating wins and losses over the last five outings with a hard-luck defeat Sunday in Minnesota, permitting two runs in seven frames. The 45-year-old former Cy Young Award winner has struggled progressively more each and every month, sporting a 7.77 ERA in June after entering the month with a 3.55 mark. Colon has faced Chicago only once since 2013 but owns an 11-8 record and 3.84 ERA in 24 career starts versus the White Sox.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rangers OF Shin-Soo Choo hit a two-run homer in the series opener to extend his on-base streak to 41 games - the longest run in the majors since Freddie Freeman reached base in 46 straight contests in 2016.

2. Chicago is 1-for-19 with runners in scoring position over its last two games.

3. Texas batters have been hit by a pitch 22 times in June, matching the club record for any month.

PREDICTION: Rangers 5, White Sox 4