• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

White Sox pitching squares off against Rangers offense

Jul 11, 2008 - 1:29 PM Chicago White Sox (53-38) at Texas (48-45) 8:05 p.m. EDT

ARLINGTON, Texas (Ticker) -- The Chicago White Sox have vaulted to the top of the American League Central Division on the strength of its pitching staff. The Texas Rangers have emerged as a contender thanks to a powerful offense.

Something has to give on Friday night when the White Sox and Rangers open a three-game series at Rangers Ballpark.

Chicago is tied with the Oakland Athletics for first in the majors with a 3.40 ERA this season and owns a 2.5 game lead over the Minnesota Twins (51-41) for first place in the AL Central.

However, the staff will be put to the test this weekend against Texas, which is tied with two other teams for the top spot in the majors with a .282 batting average while scoring a league-high 512 runs.

Josh Hamilton and Ian Kinsler have been at the forefront of the Rangers offensive surge of late. Hamilton leads the majors with 91 RBI and Kinsler will carry a 22-game hitting streak into Friday's game.

Gavin Floyd (10-4, 3.22 ERA) tries to silence the Rangers' bats when he toes the rubber for the White Sox on Friday.

Floyd, who is 6-1 over his last eight starts, pitched 7 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and three walks while striking out six to earn his second win in as many outings during Saturday's 6-1 victory over the Athletics.

The Rangers need to score as many runs as possible on Friday to support Luis Mendoza (1-3, 7.54), who has posted an 0-3 record and 10.91 ERA in five starts this season. The 24-year-old righthander was pounded for eight runs and nine hits in just 1 1/3 innings, suffering a 9-6 setback against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Monday.