Orioles at White Sox
The Chicago White Sox look to halt their five-game losing streak when they host the Baltimore Orioles in the opener of a three-game series Tuesday. Chicago began its nine-game homestand with a victory over the New York Mets but has dropped the last five contests, including a 4-0 setback to the Cleveland Indians on Sunday. The White Sox were swept in a four-game home series by the American League Central-rival Indians for the first time since 1948.
The Orioles enter the series seeking their fifth consecutive victory. Baltimore completed a three-game sweep of the AL East-rival New York Yankees on Sunday with a 4-2 triumph in which Chris Davis hit his major league-leading 31st home run and Jim Johnson secured his league-high 28th save, the 100th of his career. Nate McLouth and Manny Machado also went deep, with the latter posting a three-hit performance that included his league-best 38th double.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Baltimore), WCIU (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Jason Hammel (7-4, 5.09 ERA) vs. White Sox LH John Danks (1-5, 4.68)
Hammel will attempt to halt a five-start winless streak during which he has gone 0-2 with three no-decisions. The 30-year-old pitched well enough to win Wednesday, allowing two runs and four hits over seven innings against the Indians. Hammel is 1-1 with a 3.65 ERA in seven career games vs. the White Sox, including three starts.
Danks is looking to snap a three-game skid as he makes his eighth start of the season. The 28-year-old was solid in his last outing, yielding three runs - one earned - over 7 1/3 innings in a home loss to the Mets on Wednesday. Danks has been mediocre against Baltimore during his career, going 4-4 with a 4.26 ERA in 10 starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. Hammel has recorded six of his seven victories this season on the road.
2. White Sox 1B Paul Konerko hopes to return Tuesday after missing the last six games with a sore back.
3. Chicago SS Alexei Ramirez is the only player in the major leagues to play every inning of his team's games this season.
PREDICTION: White Sox 5, Orioles 4