White Sox at Mariners
The Seattle Mariners aim to avoid matching a season-worst five-game losing streak when they host the Chicago White Sox on Friday for the opener of their three-game series. Seattle limped into the All-Star break by being outscored 29-13 over a four-game span but still possesses the fourth-best record (58-39) in the major leagues.
The Mariners are vying to halt the longest postseason drought of the four major sports as they haven't been a playoff participant since 2001. Jean Segura, who went 2-for-2 with a three-run homer in the All-Star Game, was just 5-for-26 with no blasts or RBIs in his final seven contests prior to the break. Chicago owns the third-worst record (33-62) in the majors and has struggled to a 14-33 road record. White Sox All-Star Jose Abreu is struggling this month, hitting just .156 with one homer and five RBIs.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), ROOT Northwest (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH James Shields (4-10, 4.43 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Wade LeBlanc (5-1, 3.63)
Shields is 2-1 over his last four starts but was pounded for eight runs and 10 hits over 5 2/3 innings by Houston in his one setback during the stretch. The 36-year-old is just 1-5 with a 6.14 ERA in eight road appearances (seven starts) this season, compared to a respectable 3.51 mark in 13 home starts. Shields gave up four runs and six hits over six frames in a loss on April 25 to fall to 5-8 with a 4.66 ERA in 19 career starts against the Mariners.
LeBlanc was unbeaten in 13 starts this season before giving up four runs and six hits over 4 1/3 innings against Colorado in his final turn before the break. The 33-year-old has displayed stellar control with just four walks over 35 1/3 frames in his last six outings and 18 overall this season. LeBlanc gave up two runs and six hits in 4 2/3 innings of relief on April 23 and owns a 2.87 ERA in four career appearances (one start) versus the White Sox.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Mariners have won five of their last six overall meetings with the White Sox but have lost the last three at home by a combined score of 26-3.
2. Chicago optioned OF Charlie Tilson to Triple-A Charlotte and plan to make a corresponding move prior to Friday's contest.
3. Seattle 3B Kyle Seager, who is 8-for-22 with three homers against Shields, has failed to go deep in his last 10 games.