(Sports Network) - The Cleveland Indians will look to continue their season- long dominance of the Chicago White Sox when the two American League Central foes conclude a three-game series this afternoon at U.S. Cellular Field.
The Indians have won eight of 11 versus the White Sox this year, including four of five matchups so far in Chicago. On Saturday, Mitch Talbot allowed just one run over seven solid innings as Cleveland defeated Chicago, 3-1.
Talbot (7-4) improved to 3-0 against the White Sox this season after giving up six hits and three walks while striking out five for Cleveland. The rookie has allowed just five runs -- four earned -- in 23 innings in those three starts versus Chicago.
Austin Kearns went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored, while Shin-Soo Choo and Luis Valbuena each had a pair of hits for the Indians, who have won three of their last five overall. Kerry Wood recorded his fourth save of the season with a scoreless ninth.
Jake Peavy (4-5) was denied his 100th career win despite allowing just two runs on six hits and a walk in seven frames for the White Sox, who fell to 1-4 on a nine-game homestand. Ramon Castro had two hits and drove in the lone run in defeat.
The loss dropped Chicago to a disappointing 23-32 on the season and 9 1/2 games back of Minnesota for first place in the AL Central.
"This thing has to turn, and turn very quickly before we dig ourselves too big of a hole to come back," Peavy said of the club's current state. We already have out work cut out for us."
The White Sox are hoping Mark Buehrle can return them to the win column this afternoon, but that might be tough considering the southpaw has just one win in his last nine starts.
The last time the veteran was on the bump, he was tattooed by Texas on Tuesday, allowing six runs on 12 hits in 5 1/3 innings of work. The setback dropped Buehrle to 3-2 at home this season and sent his ERA at U.S. Cellular Field up to 4.17.
The last time Buehrle faced the Indians, he lasted just 2 1/3 innings before being ejected for throwing his glove on the ground after being called for his second balk in a May 26 contest.
The veteran has had plenty of experience against the Tribe. In fact, this will be his 40th start against Chicago's divisional rival. Buehrle has struggled in his career against Cleveland, though, posting a 4.51 earned run average behind a 12-15 ledger.
As for the Indians, they will hand the ball to Jake Westbrook, who is looking for back-to-back victories. The last time Westbrook toed the rubber, he surrendered just one run on five hits in 7 2/3 innings of work. The strong outing led to a win over Detroit this past Tuesday.
It was the third road victory on the year for the veteran hurler, who now has a solid 3.74 earned run average away from home.
This will be the third start this season for Westbrook against the Pale Hose, but the last time he faced the team from the South Side of Chicago, he was battered for five runs on six hits.
Westbrook has struggled for the most part against the White Sox. In 30 career appearances (24 starts), he's compiled a meager 8-13 ledger to go along with an equally unimpressive 5.06 ERA.