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White Sox-Indians Preview

Apr 18, 2010 - 1:02 AM By ALAN FERGUSON STATS Writer

Chicago (4-7) at Cleveland (4-6), 1:05 p.m. EDT

As they try to continue to put their slow start behind them, the Cleveland Indians have to like their matchup in the finale of a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox.

Fausto Carmona will try to win his sixth straight start over the White Sox on Sunday, and help the Indians to their first sweep of their Central Division rivals in nearly seven years.

Cleveland won two of three in Chicago to open this season, but lost five straight before winning the finale of a three-game series with Texas on Thursday.

The Indians posted two more wins over the White Sox this weekend, including a come-from-behind victory Saturday. With Cleveland down a run in the eighth inning, Asdrubal Cabrera hit a solo homer and Shin-Soo Choo drove in Grady Sizemore with a double.

"It was a terrific ballgame played by the kids," manager Manny Acta told the Indians' website. "They really battled the whole game."

Cleveland (5-6) hasn't swept the White Sox since May 30-June 2, 2003, and hasn't won four straight since a season-high, five-game run from July 23-27.

Given his recent history against Chicago, Carmona (1-0, 3.21 ERA) could help his team accomplish those milestones. The right-hander beat the White Sox on April 7 to improve to 5-0 with a 2.48 ERA against them since Sept. 9, 2007.

In that 5-3 win, he walked six over six innings, but allowed one hit - Paul Konerko's two-run homer. Carmona gave up two runs over eight innings in Monday's home opener against the Rangers, but did not get a decision in a 4-2 loss in 10 innings.

"It's very encouraging, especially after the way he pitched in spring training" Acta said. "We wanted him to take that into the season, and he's done that so far."

As they try to avoid matching their worst 13-game start in 13 years, the White Sox (4-8) will counter with Gavin Floyd (0-1, 4.50). The right-hander won his final two starts last season against the Indians, but did not get a decision April 8 despite allowing two runs and five hits over six innings.

In the finale of a three-game series at U.S. Cellular Field, Cleveland scored the tying run in the eighth and got two more in the 11th for a 5-3 win.

Floyd suffered his loss in Tuesday's 4-2 defeat in Toronto as he gave up four runs and nine hits over six innings. The right-hander is 4-2 with a 4.12 ERA in seven career starts against the Indians, and 2-1 in Cleveland despite a 5.79 ERA there.

Like the White Sox, the Indians are trying to wake up their struggling offense as they go for a fifth straight win over Chicago.

Cleveland is hitting .215 - one point behind the White Sox.

"Our offense has to be better," Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen said. "It's not fair for our pitching staff every time they make one mistake to lose the game. We've been doing that for a week and a half or two weeks. We're not swinging the bats good at all."