(Sports Network) - Though four games under .500, Cleveland has its starting pitching to thank for not being further behind in the American League Central race. The Indians' rotation might get another boost today when Jake Westbrook returns from the disabled list to pitch the finale of a three-game series with the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field.

Cleveland's starters lead all of baseball with a 3.15 earned run average, helping compensate for the team's horrid .234 team average, worst in the AL. Due to outstanding pitching, the Indians are just 4 1/2 games behind first- place Chicago in the standings.

An injury to Fausto Carmona (strained left hip) was expected to have a negative effect on those numbers, but at least the timing was good as Westbrook can slide right into Carmona's spot in the rotation. Carmona is expected to miss at least four weeks of action.

Westbrook was off to a decent start, going 1-2 with a 2.73 ERA through four starts before suffering a strained left intercostal muscle. In his final start before his injury, Westbrook was defeated by Minnesota after allowing three runs over seven inning on April 19.

The right-hander did make a start versus the White Sox prior to his injury, taking a loss against them on April 3 despite a two-run, six-hit effort over 7 1/3 innings of work. He was hurt by the long ball, allowing solo homers to Juan Uribe and Joe Crede, while getting just one run of support.

Westbrook is 8-11 with a 4.92 ERA in 26 career games (20 starts) against Chicago.

Gavin Floyd starts for the White Sox and is coming off just the second complete game of his career, though the end result was a loss. Floyd went the distance against the Angels on Friday, allowing three runs on three hits and four walks in a 3-1 setback. He gave up all three of those runs in the fifth inning, yielding a solo homer while also hitting a pair of batters with the bases loaded.

Though the right-hander is putting together a nice season with a 4-3 record and 2.93 ERA, his 27 walks through 58 1/3 total innings has hurt him at times.

Floyd has made one career start against the Indians, picking up a loss on September 10 of last season. Floyd allowed three runs (2 earned) on five hits over 6 1/3 innings.

Cleveland did find its offense and halted a five-game losing streak to Chicago in Tuesday's test, as Franklin Gutierrez hit a grand slam as part of a five- run first inning to guide the Indians to an 8-2 victory. Gutierrez, who homered for the first time since April 25, did leave the game early due to a bruised left quadriceps.

Ben Francisco and Ryan Garko also drove in runs for the Indians, who won for just the second time in their last 11 games. Aaron Laffey (3-3), who might have been the odd man out in Westbrook's return if not for Carmona's injury, let up seven hits and two runs -- one earned -- over six innings for the win.

Indians designated hitter Travis Hafner missed his second straight game due to a sore right shoulder and likely won't play this afternoon either. Hafner is hitting just .217 with four homers and 22 RBI in 46 games.

Toby Hall collected two hits, scored once and knocked in a run for the White Sox, whose two-game win streak came to a halt. Orlando Cabrera also had two hits and an RBI.

Mark Buehrle (2-6) went five-plus innings, allowing eight hits and seven runs -- six earned -- in the loss for Chicago.

Chicago has still won five of eight this year versus the Indians, who won 11- of-18 games in the season series last year.