Opposite dugout: White Sox scuffling along in dog days

Manager: Robin Ventura (5th season)

Record: 52-56

Last 10 games: 4-6

Who to watch: LF Melky Cabrera (.306 with 118 hits), 3B Todd Frazier (30 HR, 68 RBIs), 1B Jose Abreu (.269 with 12 HR, 24 doubles), LHP Chris Sale (14-5, 3.12 ERA), RHP David Robertson (4.06 ERA with 26 saves)

Season series vs. Orioles: 2-2

Pitching probables:

August 5: RHP Yovani Gallardo vs. RHP Miguel Gonzalez, 8:10 p.m., MASN2
August 6: RHP Chris Tillman vs. LHP Carlos Rodon, 7:10 p.m., MASN2
August 7: RHP Dylan Bundy vs. RHP James Shields, 2:10 p.m., MASN2

Inside the White Sox:

The last time the Orioles and White Sox met, the series was billed as a matchup between teams with the two best records in the American League. Since then, the Orioles have hung around atop their division, despite the rival Red Sox and Blue Jays nipping at their heels. The White Sox, meanwhile, oh boy. Simply put for the boys from the South Side, when the weather heated up, the White Sox cooled off.

After finishing April at 17-8, the White Sox have yet to register another winning month, leading to a drop from the top of the American League Central and a slim chance at the team's first postseason appearance since the 2008 American League Division Series.

Like most teams, one of the biggest issues facing the White Sox as the season moves into August is the injury bug. Offensively, second baseman Brett Lawrie is on the 15-day disabled list with tightness in his left hamstring, while center fielder Austin Jackson is dealing with a medial meniscus tear in his right knee and hasn't played since June 9. Even with missing time due to injury, Lawrie is still second on the team in home runs with 12, while Jackson was batting just under .270 when he landed on the DL. Among the healthy guys on the roster, third baseman Todd Frazier brings an incredible amount of power to the White Sox lineup. His 30 home runs are second in the majors, one behind Orioles slugger Mark Trumbo, and with a career high of 35, it's a safe bet Frazier will surpass that mark before season's end. Melky Cabrera leads the team in both batting average (.306) and hits (118), while former AL Rookie of the Year Jose Abreu is having a bit of a down year, but is still a threat with 24 doubles and a career .310 average at home.

On the mound, the Orioles will face a familiar, well, face, when Miguel Gonzalez starts Friday's series opener against right-hander Yovani Gallardo. Gonzalez, who pitched for the Birds from 2012-2015, signed with the White Sox back in April just five days after being released by the Orioles. A number of fans in Baltimore were surprised at Gonzalez's departure, but the 32-year-old has had a bit of an up-and-down campaign in Chicago. He went through a three-game stretch in June where he allowed 16 earned runs, but since then has rattled off six straight quality starts. Left-hander Carlos Rodon is 0-2 with a 4.85 ERA lifetime against the Orioles, including giving up four earned runs in seven innings in a loss on April 29. Rodon has made 17 starts on the year and has allowed at least six hits in 14 of those outings, adding to an already daunting task of facing Chris Tillman, who is tied with Rodon's teammate Chris Sale for the most wins in the American League. James Shields starts Sunday's series finale and looks to bounce back after giving up six earned runs in five innings in his last start against the Tigers. Shields put together a beautiful month of July, posting an ERA of 1.78, and his 11 career wins versus the Orioles are tied for second-most for Shields against any opponent.

David Robertson has plenty of history facing the Orioles during his time with the New York Yankees, and has settled in nicely as the White Sox closer. Robertson has 26 saves on the year and has 64 career strikeouts against the Birds. Right-hander Nate Jones is 4-2 on the year and southpaw Dan Jennings has a 2.00 ERA in 40 appearances.