Just a regular, old four-game losing streak – Lineups & Preview 6/30

Jun 29, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox left fielder

(24) makes a diving catch on a ball off the bat of Cleveland Indians center fielder

(not pictured) during the third inning at US Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

It’s often stated that a key to being an ace of a starting rotation is the ability to stop losing streaks. This seems like an awful burden to place on a pitcher.  Saddling the pitcher with the results of one game is already unfair let alone the emotional carryover of what preceded it.

Yet Chris Sale will be nothing if not experienced in this practice. This is the sixth time this season Sale will step to the mound with his team riding a losing streak of two or more and he remains winless in June. If there was ever a time to approach Sale with conversation about FIP, or expressing pitcher value in ways that separate his contributions from the work of his team, it’s now.

If nothing else, the White Sox have left their mark on the division race once more. The Indians’s joyous weekend had brought them within a game of the typically malaise-ridden Tigers.

White Sox Lineup

1. Alejandro De Aza – LF
2. Alexei Ramirez – SS
3. Alex Rios – RF
4. Adam Dunn – 1B
5. Jeff Keppinger – DH
6. Conor Gillaspie – 3B
7. Gordon Beckham – 2B
8. Jordan Danks – CF
9. Tyler Flowers – C

Chris Sale, SP

Jeff Keppinger batting in the middle of the order still registers as a semi-good idea. He reached base twice more yesterday, including a walk. Not a single one of his rates (average, on-base percentage, slugging) is above .300 still, in case you forgot how awful the beginning of his season was.

Cleveland Indians lineup

1. Drew Stubbs– CF
2. Mike Aviles – 2B
3. Asdrubal Cabrera – SS
4. Ryan Raburn – RF
5. Carlos Santana – DH
6. Mark Reynolds – 1B
7. Michael Brantley – LF
8. Yan Gomes – C
9. Lonnie Chisenhall – 3B

Justin Masterson, SP

The Indians must think these wins are coming too easily. They keep finding different mashers to drop out of their lineup. Today it’s Jason Kipnis, who gets a rest after hitting a game-tying 7,000-foot home run yesterday.

Where to Watch: WGN, 1:10 pm

Follow James Fegan on Twitter @JRFegan