Chicago White Sox (14-16) at Cleveland Indians (11-21), 7:05 p.m.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Chicago - Gavin Floyd (2-2, 6.29) Cleveland - Carl Pavano (2-3, 6.61)
Carl Pavano has been stingy in allowing runs on the mound in his last two starts, a strategy that might serve him well tonight, given how the Cleveland Indians' offense has been performing as of late.
Cleveland will aim to break out of an offensive slump against the also- struggling Chicago White Sox in the opener of a three-game series at Progressive Field.
The Indians were swept in a three-game weekend series by Detroit -- running their overall losing streak to four straight -- and were blanked in the first two games prior to Sunday's 5-3 loss. Overall, Cleveland has scored just three runs in its last 28 innings and only six total in its last four games.
Asdrubal Cabrera turned in a two-hit effort and knocked in a run for Cleveland, which has also lost seven of its last nine. Grady Sizemore had an RBI single and run scored, while Jhonny Peralta had three hits and scored twice in defeat.
Anthony Reyes (1-1) took the loss after allowing five runs on seven hits in five innings of work.
"It seems we're in a little bit of a funk, but you go through these things and it makes your team stronger," said Reyes.
Cleveland will try to begin that construction with Pavano on the hill. The right-hander went 0-3 with a 9.50 earned run average through his first four starts, but has since won consecutive outings while allowing a total of four runs in 13 1/3 innings.
Pavano faced Boston on Wednesday and allowed just a pair of runs on six hits over six frames of a 9-2 win. He is 1-1 with a 3.65 ERA in two career starts versus the White Sox.
Chicago doesn't come into this opener swinging hot bats either. In Sunday's 7-1 setback to Texas, the White Sox's sixth loss in their last eight games, the club managed just two hits and its lone run came on a wild pitch. Chris Getz and Carlos Quentin had the hits for Chicago, while Jim Thome walked twice.
"I feel like we're hitting balls right at people, and after that happens we start forcing things," said Chicago center fielder Brent Lillibridge. "It wears down on you, especially late in the game."
Bartolo Colon (2-3) lasted just 4 2/3 innings, allowing five runs on five hits. He had won his last 12 starts versus the Rangers dating back to 2003.
Gavin Floyd starts for Chicago tonight and is 0-1 with an 8.22 ERA in three starts since winning back-to-back games. In an 8-7 no-decision against Kansas City on Tuesday, Floyd allowed a season high-tying six runs on six hits over five innings. He also gave up two homers in a game for the first time this year.
"What's annoying is that the team gave me run support," said Floyd. "I was not able to keep it in a far distance away. I'm annoyed at the fact that I just didn't do as well as I should have."
The 26-year-old righty won both of his starts versus the Indians last year despite pitching to a 5.25 ERA.
Chicago won 11 of 18 versus Cleveland last year, but lost five of nine at Progressive Field.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Chicago - Gavin Floyd (2-2, 6.29) Cleveland - Carl Pavano (2-3, 6.61)
Carl Pavano has been stingy in allowing runs on the mound in his last two starts, a strategy that might serve him well tonight, given how the Cleveland Indians' offense has been performing as of late.
Cleveland will aim to break out of an offensive slump against the also- struggling Chicago White Sox in the opener of a three-game series at Progressive Field.
The Indians were swept in a three-game weekend series by Detroit -- running their overall losing streak to four straight -- and were blanked in the first two games prior to Sunday's 5-3 loss. Overall, Cleveland has scored just three runs in its last 28 innings and only six total in its last four games.
Asdrubal Cabrera turned in a two-hit effort and knocked in a run for Cleveland, which has also lost seven of its last nine. Grady Sizemore had an RBI single and run scored, while Jhonny Peralta had three hits and scored twice in defeat.
Anthony Reyes (1-1) took the loss after allowing five runs on seven hits in five innings of work.
"It seems we're in a little bit of a funk, but you go through these things and it makes your team stronger," said Reyes.
Cleveland will try to begin that construction with Pavano on the hill. The right-hander went 0-3 with a 9.50 earned run average through his first four starts, but has since won consecutive outings while allowing a total of four runs in 13 1/3 innings.
Pavano faced Boston on Wednesday and allowed just a pair of runs on six hits over six frames of a 9-2 win. He is 1-1 with a 3.65 ERA in two career starts versus the White Sox.
Chicago doesn't come into this opener swinging hot bats either. In Sunday's 7-1 setback to Texas, the White Sox's sixth loss in their last eight games, the club managed just two hits and its lone run came on a wild pitch. Chris Getz and Carlos Quentin had the hits for Chicago, while Jim Thome walked twice.
"I feel like we're hitting balls right at people, and after that happens we start forcing things," said Chicago center fielder Brent Lillibridge. "It wears down on you, especially late in the game."
Bartolo Colon (2-3) lasted just 4 2/3 innings, allowing five runs on five hits. He had won his last 12 starts versus the Rangers dating back to 2003.
Gavin Floyd starts for Chicago tonight and is 0-1 with an 8.22 ERA in three starts since winning back-to-back games. In an 8-7 no-decision against Kansas City on Tuesday, Floyd allowed a season high-tying six runs on six hits over five innings. He also gave up two homers in a game for the first time this year.
"What's annoying is that the team gave me run support," said Floyd. "I was not able to keep it in a far distance away. I'm annoyed at the fact that I just didn't do as well as I should have."
The 26-year-old righty won both of his starts versus the Indians last year despite pitching to a 5.25 ERA.
Chicago won 11 of 18 versus Cleveland last year, but lost five of nine at Progressive Field.
