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White Sox-Pirates Preview

Jun 16, 2010 - 5:08 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Chicago (28-34) at Pittsburgh (23-40), 7:05 p.m. EDT

The Chicago White Sox rotation has been disappointing this season, but not against the National League.

The White Sox look to clinch their third straight series win Wednesday when they continue a three-game set against the Pittsburgh Pirates, who are calling up top prospect Pedro Alvarez.

Chicago (29-34) has won five of six, taking advantage of interleague play to go on a run. The White Sox took two of three from the Cubs over the weekend and defeated the Pirates 6-4 in the series opener Tuesday.

"We've started playing really well this past week and getting hot and playing better baseball," said right-hander Freddy Garcia, who gave up four runs in 5 2-3 innings.

Since the start of the 2008 season, the White Sox have the second-best interleague record in the majors at 29-14. Good starting pitching has been a big reason, as Chicago's starters have gone 22-9 with a 2.99 ERA in those games, including 5-2 with a 3.07 ERA versus the NL this year.

The White Sox began last week with the worst ERA in the AL at 4.81, but posted a 2.21 ERA over the past six contests.

John Danks (5-5, 3.27 ERA) has played his part in the rotation's recent resurgence, giving up one hit in seven innings of a 3-0 win over Detroit on Thursday. The left-hander is set to make his first start against the Pirates (23-41), who are looking end a nine-game losing streak.

Pittsburgh has not dropped 10 straight since Aug. 20-31, 2008. The Pirates have scored 27 runs during their skid and will call up Alvarez, a third baseman who was the No. 2 pick in the 2008 draft, as they seek an offensive spark.

The 23-year-old is hitting .277 with 13 homers, 15 doubles and 53 RBIs at Triple-A Indianapolis.

"I'll be happy when it happens because we've envisioned this for a long time," manager John Russell said. "There will be days he struggles, but it will be a big boost for the ballclub."

Alvarez and the Pirates will be facing a pitcher who has dominated the NL. Danks went 3-1 with a 1.15 ERA in his last six interleague starts, going 2-0 with a 0.95 ERA on the road.

Pittsburgh will hand the ball to Zach Duke (3-7, 5.30), who has lost three straight starts. He gave up three runs in five innings of a 4-2 defeat to Washington on Thursday, allowing two home runs after giving up three in his previous outing against San Francisco.

The left-hander has gone 0-1 with a 4.95 ERA in three starts versus the White Sox. He pitched a complete game at U.S. Cellular Field last May 22, giving up two runs in a 2-0 loss.