The Indians and White Sox will continue a three-game set at Progressive Field on Saturday. Right-handers Danny Salazar of Cleveland and James Shields of Chicago will take the mound in an American League Central clash.
Salazar (7-3, 2.19 ERA) will be making his 13th start. He has been one of the best pitchers in the AL, pacing the league among qualified pitchers with just 47 hits allowed. He has only had three starts where he has allowed five or more hits.
Last time out, Salazar gave up just three hits to the Angels. He allowed one run over 5 2/3 innings in the win, and struck out eight while walking four. He has had some trouble with walks with nine free passes in his previous two starts.
Shields (2-8, 5.45 ERA) will be making his third start since being traded to the White Sox from the Padres. The former Royals ace has had an abrupt homecoming since returning to the AL Central. In two starts, he has given up 14 runs in seven innings.
In his last start, Shields gave up seven runs (six earned) on nine hits in five innings to Detroit. Against the Tigers, he recorded just one strikeout and issued four walks. His four free passes matched a season-high mark.
• Shields is 4-5 with a 3.53 ERA in 16 career starts against Cleveland. Carlos Santana has a Tribe-best 32 at-bats against Shields in his career and is hitting .250 with three RBIs and a home run.
• Salazar has made seven career starts against Chicago and posted a 4-2 record with a 3.28 ERA. Chicago first baseman Jose Abreu is 4-for-13 with a pair of home runs against Salazar.
• Cleveland cacher Yan Gomes is expected to be back behind the plate Saturday. Chris Gimenez has handled catching duties on starts by Friday's starter, Trevor Bauer, dating back to May 5.