White Sox at Indians (2nd)
THE STORY:
The teams battling for second place in the American League Central will
have a long day Tuesday as the Chicago White Sox and host Cleveland
Indians meet in a day-night doubleheader. The Indians lead the White Sox
by 1 1/2 games. Chicago has won nine of the 14 games in the season
series.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET WCIU (Chicago), STO (Cleveland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Dylan Axelrod (0-0, 2.25 ERA) vs. Indians RH Zach McAllister (0-1, 12.27).
Axelrod
had an impressive first major league start against Detroit on Sept. 14.
He held the red-hot Tigers to two runs in six innings. Axelrod was in
line for the win, but his relievers couldn't hold a late lead.
McAllister will be making his third start in the big leagues. The
Indians can only hope it's better than his last outing when he allowed
10 runs (eight earned) in 3 1/3 innings against Seattle on Aug. 23.
ABOUT THE WHITE SOX (74-78): Chicago broke a seven-game losing
streak Sunday in Kansas City. The entire team has faltered as the season
comes to a close, with the pitching staff taking the lead. The White
Sox have allowed 61 runs in their last eight games. Chicago has lost
nine of its last 12 games, which isn't what anyone expected from a team
that was picked to contend in the division.
ABOUT THE INDIANS (75-76):
After winning three straight, the Indians had a bad day Monday. An
early 3-0 lead against Seattle turned into a 12-6 loss as Cleveland
pitchers allowed their fifth grand slam in the last 12 games. It
certainly wasn't the way manager Manny Acta wanted his pitching staff to
begin a homestand in which the Indians will play nine games in seven
days.
FINAL PITCH: After taking an 0-for-20 slump into Saturday, Cleveland shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera is 7-for-9 in the last two games.