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White Sox-Indians Preview

Apr 16, 2010 - 4:05 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Chicago (4-5) at Cleveland (2-6), 7:05 p.m. EDT

Cleveland took two of three games from the Chicago White Sox to open the season. However, the Indians didn't fare well against Mark Buehrle in that series.

The left-hander looks for another strong outing as the visiting White Sox open a weekend set with the Indians on Friday night.

A four-time All-Star, Buehrle (2-0, 2.40 ERA) allowed three hits in seven innings of a 6-0 win over Cleveland at U.S. Cellular Field on April 5. The left-hander also made a spectacular play when he stuck his leg out and knocked Lou Marson's one-hopper into foul territory. Then he used his glove to shovel the ball between his legs to first baseman Paul Konerko to retire the runner.

"Unbelievable," Cleveland's Shin-Soo Choo told the Indians' official Web site. "I think that was the best play I've ever seen."

Whether with his arm or glove, Buehrle is off to a good start by posting two of the three wins by White Sox starters. He gave up four runs in eight innings of a 5-4 win over Minnesota on Sunday.

"Every time he goes to the mound, he's going to give the best he has every day and try to keep you in the game," manager Ozzie Guillen told the White Sox official Web site.

Though Buehrle is 11-14 with a 4.59 ERA versus the Indians, he's not allowed a run in 13 innings to win his last two starts against them. He allowed three hits in six innings of a 1-0 win at Cleveland on Sept. 30.

Choo has hit Buehrle well, going 5 for 15 with a homer, double and triple. Choo's three-run homer in the eighth inning helped Cleveland (3-6) snap a five-game losing streak with a 3-2 home win over Texas on Thursday.

The only AL player last year to bat .300 with 20 homers and 20 steals, Choo is 8 for 13 with three home runs in his last four games.

"I think this town needs to rally behind this kid," Indians manager Manny Acta said. "He's one of the best players in the American League. He's a legit five-tool player."

After scoring five runs in each of their last two victories over Chicago (4-6) last week, the Indians have totaled more than three once in their last six games. The White Sox, meanwhile, managed six runs in losing those final two versus Cleveland.

The White Sox were inconsistent while splitting a four-game series in Toronto this week. Chicago recorded 19 runs and 29 hits in its two victories, but five with six hits in the losses.

Veteran Andruw Jones was 6 for 15 with three home runs in the series, but 0 for 3 with two strikeouts in Chicago's 7-3 loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday. Jones was 0 for 4 against the Indians last week.

Konerko homered in each of the first two games against Cleveland this season, but is 0 for 12 in his last three overall.

Chicago gets its first look at Cleveland's Mitch Talbot (0-1, 7.20), who'll make his fifth major league appearance and third start in this contest.

The right-hander, who went 62-54 with a 3.79 ERA in 166 career minor-league games, allowed four runs and walked five in five innings of a 4-2 loss at Detroit in his Indians' debut Saturday.