(Sports Network) - The Chicago White Sox will do battle with the New York Yankees today in the second of three straight meetings at U.S. Cellular Field.
Once again, Yankees ace CC Sabathia is in the thick of the race for the Cy Young Award in the American League. The ace is 17-5 with a 3.02 ERA, having figured in the decision of all but five of his starts to date. Sabathia, who has 151 strikeouts in 187 2/3 innings, is coming off a victory over Seattle on Sunday. In that tilt, the big lefty blanked the Mariners for six innings, allowing just three hits.
Sabathia has found great success in 28 career starts against the White Sox, posting a 15-4 record and 3.72 ERA with 177 strikeouts in 179 innings.
Slated to oppose Sabathia is John Danks, who enters this tilt with a 12-8 overall record and a 3.31 ERA. The 6-2 lefty has 130 strikeouts in 168 1/3 innings and did not figure in the decision against Kansas City on Sunday despite a solid showing. Danks allowed just two earned runs on five hits in six innings against the Royals.
Danks is 2-1 against the Yankees in his career with a 5.48 ERA.
A.J. Pierzynski and Omar Vizquel both knocked in two runs to support a solid outing from Freddy Garcia on Friday, as the White Sox beat New York, 9-4.
Juan Pierre had two hits and scored twice for the White Sox, while Garcia (11-5) limited the Yankees to five hits and two runs -- one earned -- over seven innings.
"[Garcia] threw the ball great," Pierzynski said of his battery mate. "He made pitches when he had to and got double-play balls."
Chicago still finds itself 3 1/2 games back of first-place Minnesota in the American League Central standings after the Twins defeated Seattle on Friday.
New York starter A.J. Burnett (9-12) gave up nine runs -- eight earned -- on eight hits and three walks in 3 1/3 innings. Sergio Mitre allowed one hit over 4 2/3 innings in relief of the ineffective Burnett, who has lost his last four decisions.
Despite the loss, the Yankees remain tied with Tampa Bay atop the AL East after the Rays were beaten by Boston.
A waiver claim for Manny Ramirez has been awarded to the White Sox, but general manager Ken Williams avoided discussing the issue after last night's game, fearing a tampering charge.
New York took two of three games from Chicago in the Bronx earlier this season, but lost three of four to the Sox in its lone visit to U.S. Cellular Field in 2009.