Angels at White Sox
Chicago has rebounded from a recent five-game losing streak by winning seven of its last nine, retaking first place in the American League Central. Meanwhile, the Angels have maintained their hold on the first AL wild-card slot while remaining within striking distance of AL West leader Texas. The White Sox and Angels split a pair of games in Los Angeles on May 16-17 while the Angels pulled a three-game sweep in their last trip to Chicago back in April 2011.
Both teams have been able to count on strong starting pitching — the Angels added Friday starter Zack Greinke to join Cy Young candidate Jered Weaver, while the White Sox have a solid rotation that features All-Stars Chris Sale and Jake Peavy. Chicago DH Adam Dunn leads the major leagues with 31 home runs, while Los Angeles rookie outfielder Mike Trout is positioning himself as a potential Most Valuable Player, batting an AL-best .347 and being named the league’s Player of the Month for July.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports West (Los Angeles), Comcast Sports (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Zack Greinke (0-1, 2.57 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Philip Humber (5-5, 5.90)
After a year and a half in Milwaukee, Greinke made his return to the American League last weekend, taking a heartbreaking 2-0 loss against Tampa Bay despite seven strong innings (7 H, 2 ER, BB, 8 K). Friday provides another tough challenge — Greinke is just 7-10 in his career against the White Sox, sporting a 2-7 record and a 5.49 ERA at U.S. Cellular Field.
Humber has made four straight road starts and won three of them, most recently an impressive outing at Texas on July 28 (6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER). Now he returns to a home park where he has yet to win in seven tries this season, going 0-3 with an unsightly 6.93 ERA. Humber has faced the Angels just twice in his career, starting once, and he is 0-1 with two earned runs allowed in seven innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. White Sox C A.J. Pierzynski has pounded Greinke (20-for-49, 3 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBIs), but his Chicago teammates are a combined 30-for-175 (.171) against the former AL Cy Young winner.
2. Chicago is 10-1 in its last 11 home games but has won just two of Humber’s last 14 starts at U.S. Cellular Field.
3. The Angels are a combined 9-for-26 (.346) in limited action against Humber, led by Maicer Izturis (3-for-4, 2B, 2 RBIs).