The Chicago White Sox will pin their hopes on Jose Quintana this afternoon when they play the rubber match of a three-game set against the Milwaukee Brewers at U.S. Cellular Field.
The 23-year-old rookie southpaw has yet to allow more than two runs in any appearance this season and he has shown incredible command of the strike zone, allowing just one walk in his last 23 2/3 innings.
Quintana's last start was the best of his career, as he scattered five hits over eight scoreless innings while striking out six in a no-decision against the Dodgers on June 17.
"He's proven he can pitch up here," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said of his pitcher. "When he goes out there and does what he's doing right now, he's making a strong case for staying around."
The Brewers will counter with Michael Fiers, who has been effective in limited time in the big leagues this season, going 2-2 with a 3.46 ERA in five games.
The 6-foot-2 right-hander won his last start against Minnesota on June 16, pitching seven innings, while allowing just four hits and one earned run. He also pitched a scoreless inning of relief on June 20 against Toronto.
Fiers has done most of his damage on the road, going 2-0 in two starts with a 1.29 ERA, giving up just nine hits in 14 innings of work.
In Saturday night's matchup, the White Sox came from behind to win, 8-6, to even the series.
After getting down 6-4, Chicago scored four the final four runs of the game, including Alex Rios's go-ahead RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Dylan Axelrod was a late call-up this week to replace DL-bound Philip Humber in the starting rotation. He lasted 5 1/3 innings while giving up six hits and five runs (four earned).
Jesse Crain (2-1) earned the win in relief a night after suffering his only loss of the season. Addison Reed recorded the final four outs for his ninth save of the year.
The Sox got a big night out of Dayan Viciedo, who went 3-for-4 with four RBI, belting his 13th home run in the process. Rios and Gordon Beckham also chipped in three hits a piece.
Randy Wolf started for the Brewers and was underwhelming yet again, allowing eight hits and five earned runs in 5 1/3 innings. Jose Veras (3-3) was saddled with the loss after allowing the go-ahead run in the eighth.
Norichika Aoki went 3-for-4 out of the leadoff spot for the Brewers and swiped four bases as well. Ryan Braun knocked in his 52nd RBI of the season, third-most in the National League.
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