Rangers at White Sox
The Chicago White Sox's pitching staff hasn't been a particular strength for the bulk of the season, but it has been quite impressive during the team's three-game winning streak. The White Sox hope a resurgent Ivan Nova can extend their recent string of dominant pitching on Saturday, when they look to clinch a series win in the third contest of their four-game set versus the visiting Texas Rangers.
Lucas Giolito tossed a three-hit shutout in Minnesota on Wednesday and Ross Detwiler opened this series with six strong innings in a 6-1 victory as Chicago held its opponent to three hits or fewer in back-to-back games for the first time since June 25 and 26, 2011. The White Sox, who rank 22nd in the major leagues with a 4.83 team ERA, just missed out on making it three consecutive such efforts in Friday's 8-3 triumph, as rookie Dylan Cease and three relievers limited the Rangers to four hits. Willie Calhoun provided Texas with an early three-run advantage on Friday, but the club recorded only two more hits and a walk en route to its 12th loss in 14 games at Guaranteed Rate Field. Texas needs to win the final two games of the set to avoid falling to 1-8 over its last nine series in Chicago.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), WGN (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Kolby Allard (1-0, 6.60 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Ivan Nova (9-9, 4.47)
Allard struggled through the worst of his three starts since being acquired from Atlanta on July 30, giving up seven runs - six earned - on seven hits and two walks over five innings in Monday's no-decision against the Los Angeles Angels. The former first-round draft pick managed to retire 10 of the final 11 batters he faced in that outing but already has issued seven walks in 15 major-league frames. Allard went 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA in his first two turns with Texas - both on the road.
Nova extended his winning streak to five games at Minnesota on Monday after holding the Twins to two runs over five innings despite giving up 10 hits and a walk. The 32-year-old has posted a 0.85 ERA during his six-game unbeaten streak after going 4-9 with a 5.86 ERA over his first 20 outings. Danny Santana (2-for-4, home run) is one of only a few Rangers who has enjoyed any success against Nova, who took the loss at Texas on June 23 after giving up three earned runs in six frames.
WALK-OFFS
1. White Sox 1B Jose Abreu delivered an RBI double on Friday, leaving him one hit shy of 1,000 for his career. He also needs only two more home runs and two RBIs to become the fourth player in team history to record four 30/100 seasons.
2. Texas is 23-43 at Guaranteed Rate Field since the start of the 2001 season, with the resulting .348 winning percentage being the team's lowest at any American League ballpark over that span.
3. Chicago SS Tim Anderson is batting .455 with eight multi-hit efforts during his 10-game hitting streak.