Sunday’s American League probable pitching matchup capsules

Francisco Liriano’s importance to the White Sox was made even clearer when John Danks was officially ruled out for the rest of the season. Liriano was strong in his White Sox debut earlier this week but has to face the red-hot Angels lineup on Sunday in a potential playoff preview. Bet on Angels-White Sox and every game at WagerWeb.com.

Cleveland at Detroit – Indians TBA vs. Tigers RHP Max Scherzer (10-6, 4.62): As of this writing the Tribe haven’t announced the starter for this game. The need for one happened when the Indians designated struggling Derek Lowe for assignment earlier this week. Cleveland will carry eight relievers until Sunday, when the ballclub will need to name a replacement starter for Lowe. … Scherzer’s loss in Boston on Monday was his first since June 23 and his highest run total allowed in nearly two months. He’ll try to recover against a Tribe lineup he held down for seven innings of two-run ball with eight strikeouts last Wednesday.

Seattle at NY Yankees – Mariners RHP Hisashi Iwakuma (2-2, 4.10) vs. Yankees RHP Freddy Garcia (4-5, 5.10): The former Japanese standout is coming off by far his best game since moving into Seattle’s rotation midseason with 13 strikeouts in eight innings in a 4-1 win over Toronto. He’s 1-1 with a 3.41 ERA in five games as a starter. … Garcia labored through six innings his last time out, against Baltimore, but he pitched into the eighth inning a week ago in Seattle. Garcia allowed three runs on five hits over 7 1/3 innings against his former club, striking out eight with no walks.

Minnesota at Boston – Twins RHP Nick Blackburn (4-6, 7.43) vs. Red Sox RHP Josh Beckett (5-9, 4.54): Blackburn turned in his best start of the year against the White Sox on Tuesday. He tossed a season-high eight innings and allowed two runs on five hits. It was a nice bounce-back outing after allowing eight runs to Chicago in his previous start. … A back spasm cut shot Beckett’s last outing, on the day of the Trade Deadline. He was part of trade rumors then, and those will likely persist this month, because he’s a strong candidate to pass through waivers unclaimed.

Baltimore at Tampa Bay – Orioles RHP Miguel Gonzalez (3-2, 4.46) vs. Rays LHP David Price (14-4, 2.64): Gonzalez fared well in his first career start in the Bronx, holding the Yankees to four runs over 6 2/3 innings. Gonzalez allowed six hits and struck out a career-high eight. … Price allowed three runs on five hits while walking two and striking out 11 to earn a no-decision against the Athletics in Oakland on Monday. The Rays left-hander is 6-2 with a 2.45 ERA in 11 career starts against the Orioles.

LA Angels at Chicago White Sox – Angels RHP Dan Haren (8-8, 4.59) vs. White Sox LHP Francisco Liriano (3-10, 5.18): Haren pitched six-plus innings of one-run ball in a win over the Rays on July 27, but came out of it with stiffness in his right side. The Angels skipped his Wednesday start vs. the Rangers and lined him up for the series finale vs. the White Sox. …  Liriano will stay on a regular schedule, after making his White Sox debut against his old team at Target Field on Tuesday. Liriano struck out eight over six innings and gave up two earned runs in a White Sox win over the Twins.

Texas at Kansas City – Rangers LHP Derek Holland (7-6, 4.96) vs. Royals RHP Luke Hochevar (7-9, 5.22): Holland is 1-2 with a 6.43 ERA in his last three starts after a 6-2 loss to the Angels on Tuesday. He is 4-2 with a 3.40 ERA in seven road starts. He is 1-1 with a 4.57 ERA in three starts and two relief appearances in his career against the Royals. … Hochevar settled down nicely after a shaky start last time out against Cleveland. He allowed three runs over the first three innings, but gave up just one hit in his final three innings, earning the win, his seventh of the year.

Toronto at Oakland – Jays LHP Aaron Laffey (2-2, 4.20) vs. A’s LHP Tommy Milone (9-8, 3.68): Laffey is coming off his worst start of the season. He surrendered seven runs on nine hits in 4 2/3 innings against the Mariners. He experienced trouble locating his fastball, which is a go-to pitch for the veteran left-hander. … Milone was uncharacteristically shaky at home in his last outing against the Rays. His command was off and he left pitches up, allowing Tampa Bay to score five runs in his six innings. The lefty’s home ERA rose from 0.91 to 1.51.

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