Mariners at White Sox
Off to a dreadful start, the Chicago White Sox have a chance to capture their first series since winning the opening two games of the season when they host the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday afternoon in the rubber match of a three-game set. Chicago has lost 15 of 18 after dropping a 1-0 decision to Seattle on Tuesday night, its fourth shutout loss in 20 games.
The White Sox pounded the Mariners 10-4 in the series opener, their lone win during a 1-8 stretch in which it has been limited to two runs or fewer on seven occasions. Shortstop Tim Anderson has back-to-back two-hit games and is riding a six-game hitting streak for Chicago, off to its worst start since dropping 20 of its first 25 in 1950. Mariners right fielder Mitch Haniger had his home run streak halted at four games but he delivered the lone run Tuesday to give him nine RBIs over the past five. Ace Felix Hernandez takes the mound in the series finale for Seattle, which heads to Cleveland to wrap up a 10-game road trip following Wednesday's game.
TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), NBCS Chicago
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Félix Hernández (2-2, 5.06 ERA) vs. White Sox RH James Shields (1-2, 6.17)
With the exception of his second start, when he was rocked for eight runs, Hernandez has been fairly solid even though he has made it through six innings once. He allowed two runs for the second straight start but has nothing to show for it after taking a no-decision at Texas last time out. Hernandez has split 12 lifetime decisions against the White Sox but has allowed two homers in three at-bats to Welington Castillo.
Shields made his last start after pitching in relief two days earlier and was promptly battered for seven runs on eight hits and four walks over 5 1/3 innings in a loss to Houston on Friday. He has struggled with his control over his last three appearances, walking 11 batters and striking out 10 in 12 1/3 innings. Robinson Cano has been a nemesis for Shields, going 38-for-92 (.413) with six home runs and 20 RBIs.
WALK-OFFS
1. Mariners RHP Edwin Diaz has converted all nine save opportunities.
2. Chicago was last shut out at least four times in the first 20 games since 1993, when they won 94 games.
3. Haniger has hit safely in seven straight games, including four homers and four doubles.