(Sports Network) - The Chicago White Sox try to string back-to-back wins together for the first time in almost two weeks when they open a three-game series with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium.
Chicago trailed the Minnesota Twins by 3 1/2 games in the American League Central after winning its seventh straight contest back on September 6. The White Sox, though, dropped 12 of their next 15 games and were eliminated from the race on Tuesday when the Twins clinched the division.
However, the team does come into tonight's contest on a bit of a high note, as the White Sox snapped an eight-game losing streak in the finale of their three-game set with the Oakland Athletics, pulling out a 4-3 win on Wednesday at the Coliseum.
Trying to get the White Sox another victory tonight will be righty Freddy Garcia, who has not pitched since September 7 because of a bad back. Garcia has been a pleasant surprise for Chicago this season, posting an 11-6 mark to go along with a 4.88 ERA.
"I've got pain in my back, but shoulder-wise I'm good," said Garcia, who is a free agent at season's end.
Garcia beat the Angels the last time he faced them and is an impressive 15-3 lifetime against them with a 2.45 ERA in 25 starts.
The Angels, meanwhile, will counter with a veteran right-hander of their own in Joel Pineiro, who is 10-7 with a 4.13 ERA. After being sidelined for nearly two months with an oblique injury, Pineiro returned to the mound on Saturday against Tampa Bay and allowed two runs and six hits in six innings, but did not factor in the decision of his team's 4-3 loss.
Pineiro has faced the White Sox 16 times (eight starts) and is 2-5 against them with a 5.40 ERA.
Like the White Sox, the Angels will be home for the postseason this year. However, the three-time defending AL West champions have played well of late, winning three of their last four games to pull within two games of .500 (75-77).
Chicago has won four of its six matchups with Los Angeles this year and has won the season series in three of the last four years.