White Sox at Orioles
Jose Abreu hasn't enjoyed a fast start to the season by any means, but he's starting to pick up speed over the last few games. Abreu looks to continue his recent run of good fortune on Tuesday when the visiting Chicago White Sox vie for a series victory over the reeling Baltimore Orioles, who own a dismal 1-10 mark at Camden Yards.
Abreu belted his 150th career homer to highlight his three-hit, five-RBI performance in Chicago's 12-2 win on Monday, improving to 6-for-15 with three extra-base hits and seven RBIs in his last three games. The 32-year-old has seen his batting average elevate from .174 to .214 after his latest surge heading into Tuesday's tilt versus right-hander Andrew Cashner, against whom he is 6-for-9 with a pair of doubles. Baltimore's Trey Mancini, who had an RBI double on Monday, is 9-for-20 with four runs scored during his five-game hitting streak. Pedro Severino added a solo shot for his third homer in five contests for the Orioles, who have lost four in a row.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago-Plus, MASN (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Ivan Nova (0-2, 6.23 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Andrew Cashner (3-1, 4.97)
Nova has alternated strong starts with horrendous ones, including Thursday's performance in which he allowed six runs on 11 hits in 6 1/3 innings of a no-decision at Detroit. The 32-year-old Dominican has permitted either one run or at least six in each of his four outings. Nova, who boasts an 8-4 record with a 4.98 ERA in 18 career appearances (17 starts) versus Baltimore, has struggled versus Chris Davis (10-for-35, four homers, 11 RBIs).
Cashner answered three straight wins with a no-decision on Thursday, although he allowed just two runs on five hits in five innings at Tampa Bay. The 32-year-old has struggled to keep the ball in the park of late with four homers in his last three starts, however, he managed to strike out six against the Rays -- matching the sum of his previous three outings. Cashner owns a 1-2 mark with a 4.34 ERA in five career appearances (three starts) versus Chicago, although Abreu and Yonder Alonso (4-for-10) have gotten their licks in on the hurler.
WALK-OFFS
1. Chicago 2B Yolmer Sanchez is riding a five-game hitting streak and has five runs scored in his last eight games.
2. Baltimore 2B Jonathan Villar has five hits and scored three runs in his last three contests.
3. White Sox OF Eloy Jimenez was placed on the bereavement list and will miss the remainder of the series.