White Sox at Indians
The Chicago White Sox were struggling on the mound before arriving in Cleveland and now hope for three straight strong pitching performances when they visit the Indians for the third of a four-game series Wednesday. The White Sox gave up 30 runs in three straight losses last weekend, but have allowed one total run while winning the first two of the series, including a 2-0 victory on Tuesday.
Yoan Moncada and James McCann each knocked in a run to support starter Lucas Giolito and two relievers as they limited the Indians to five hits Tuesday after Chicago took the series opener 9-1 just 24 hours earlier. Reynaldo Lopez will try to keep it going when he takes the hill for the White Sox on Wednesday and the Indians counter with fellow right-hander Shane Bieber, who pitched 12 2/3 innings of scoreless ball versus Chicago with 17 strikeouts last season. Cleveland had 10 hits in the series opener but went 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position, and has managed just one run in its last three games overall after winning three of the previous four contests. Francisco Lindor had three hits for the Indians in the loss Tuesday and teammate Jose Ramirez was 0-for-2, but walked twice to extend his on-base streak to 16 games.
TV: 6:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, STO (Cleveland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Reynaldo Lopez (2-4, 6.69 ERA) vs. Indians RH Shane Bieber (2-1, 3.16)
Lopez ended a stretch of three straight quality starts last Friday when he allowed six runs on eight hits (two homers) and three walks over five innings of a loss to Boston. The 25-year-old Dominican Republic native, who has 45 strikeouts across 36 1/3 innings overall, had given up five runs (three earned) combined while completing six frames in each of the previous three outings. Leonys Martin is 5-for-7 versus Lopez, who had a 14.14 ERA in two starts against the Indians last year.
Bieber has pitched well in his last two trips to the mound without a reward, holding Seattle and Houston to four runs and nine hits combined over 13 2/3 innings with 17 strikeouts. The 23-year-old California native has struck out 42 in 37 innings this season and is holding opponents to a .188 batting average overall. Moncada is 2-for-3 with a double against Bieber, who owns a 4-6 record in his young career at home while winning all nine decisions on the road - two this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Chicago RHP Kelvin Herrera (lower back stiffness) was held out of the first two games of the series and his status is uncertain.
2. Cleveland 2B Jason Kipnis is 4-for-9 in the series with three doubles and a single.
3. White Sox 1B Jose Abreu needs one home run to break the tie with Bill Melton (154) for eighth on the franchise’s all-time list.