Three and a half games out of first place, the White Sox hope they can take advantage of the last place AL Central Royals once more to make up more ground against Cleveland and Detroit. They'll send Edwin Jackson to the mound against Kansas City as they go for the series victory at the Cell.
Jackson, 5-6 with a 4.24 ERA and 1.45 WHIP, has been up and down over the last few weeks. He took the loss on June 17th against Arizona when he gave up four runs in just 6.2 innings, but then bounced right back and threw seven shutout against Washington in his very next start. Though he earned the victory in his most recent tilt against the Cubs, he once again missed the quality start as he gave up four runs over 6.0 innings pitched. In his career against Kansas City, Jackson is 3-4 with a 5.77 ERA and 1.54 WHIP. Melky Cabrera holds a career .304 average against Jackson with a triple, while Billy Butler has taken Jackson deep three times in just sixteen at-bats.
Pitching for the Royals will be Bruce Chen. Chen, 4-2 with a 3.46 ERA and 1.39 WHIP, has made two starts since being activated from the DL. In both starts he gave up four runs over six innings, though the runs were all unearned in his most recent trip to the mound against San Diego. In his career against the White Sox, Chen is 0-3 with a 4.54 ERA and 1.41 WHIP. In fifteen at-bats against Chen, A.J. Pierzynski holds a .533 average with two home runs, while Paul Konerko is 6-for-17 with a double and two home runs.
The weather in Chicago is forecast to be clear and warm, with a game time temperature in the low 80's. First pitch is at 1:10 P.M., CDT, and the game will be televised on WGN and FSKC.