Chicago White Sox Team Report
(Sports Network) - In the Chicago sports scene, it doesn't get any better than a good old fashion cross-town rivalry to beat the summer heat. In one corner, the Chicago Cubs, owners of the top record in all of baseball. In the other, the Chicago White Sox, who lead their division by the largest margin across the league.
National League versus American League. Big brother versus little brother. North Siders versus South Siders. Bill it however you want to, the tables have been set for another classic showdown. In a series that dates back to 1906 and is tied 30-30, the Cubs have had the edge of late, winning six of the last seven meetings. Last June, the Cubs went into U.S. Cellular Field and swept the Sox.
Still, the White Sox and their major league-leading 7-2 interleague record cannot be overlooked. And although some of the players may try to downplay the significance of Cubs-Sox, there is still some bad blood there. As recently as last month when the White Sox were struggling, manager Ozzie Guillen blew up at the media, complaining that the Cubs get all the credit in Chicago even though they haven't won anything in 100 years. Actually, he painted that picture with a considerable amount of expletives.
When asked this week about the differences between Cubs and Sox fans, Guillen said White Sox fans are "legit," while some people go to Wrigley Field "to have a tour."
Sox general manager Kenny Williams even got in on the action. In a recent article in the Chicago Sun Times, when Williams was asked about the different environments, he didn't pull any punches.
"It is so different," he said. "You might as well build a border, a Great Wall of China on Madison, because we are so different. We might as well be in two different cities. The unfortunate thing for me is it's a shame that a certain segment of Chicago refused to enjoy a baseball championship being brought to their city. The only thing I can say is, 'Happy anniversary.'"
The anniversary, of course, refers to the Cubs' 100-year World Series drought. Then, asked in the same article if he would ever consider being the GM of the Cubs: "God, I would really, really have to need the job. Oh, wow, really need the job."
As far as the baseball aspect of it, both teams are trying to keep that cushion between themselves and the rest of the division. The level of play in the AL Central has certainly picked up, while the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers remain within striking distance of the Cubs.
The White Sox are coming off a three-game sweep of the Pirates, in which they piled up 37 runs. That once-slumping lineup which prompted Guillen's early-May media blowup is now red-hot. Four White Sox players homered in Tuesday's 16-5 rout. Three went yard in Wednesday's 8-2 win. In Thursday's 13-8 win, Jermaine Dye belted two home runs (his second and third of the series), including a grand slam and finished with six RBI. Orlando Cabrera added a three-run blast, his second of the series.
Still, after all those fireworks, all the talk around Chicago is focused on one thing.
"I think it's great," Guillen said of the rivalry, also noting that he thinks it's more intense than the New York rivalry. "I think it's fun. I think it's good for the fans, good for everybody. Even if you try to avoid the circumstances, you can't avoid the circumstances. But we're in first place, they're in first place. They're playing great baseball."
THOME LIKELY TO PLAY FIRST
With Paul Konerko sidelined with a strained left oblique, Jim Thome could end up playing first base against the Cubs. Thome hasn't had any significant time at the position since his time with the Phillies, largely because it's taken a toll on his aging body. But Guillen didn't rule out the possibility.
"He'll prepare," Guillen said. "I'm going to let him know that I don't want him doing anything at first base. Just catch the ball when they throw it to you. If they hit a ground ball and you miss it, blame it on me."
Not exactly words of endorsement from the manager, but Guillen already said in a matter-of-fact tone that Thome won't get any better from one day to another just by taking grounders. He missed three games with back stiffness last week, so his health will most likely be the deciding factor, although Thome said he feels fine right now. The only other option is Nick Swisher, though Guillen almost certainly prefer to go with Thome, who has been heating up at the plate lately.
WHO'S HOT
Over the last month, nobody in the lineup has been more consistent than Cabrera (hitting .342 in 28 games) or Alexei Ramirez (hitting .341 in 26 games).
WHO'S NOT
Also over the last month Carlos Quentin, who started the season as one of the league's top (and most surprising) performers, is hitting just .224.
Prior to a brief turnaround in the last two games (2-for-4 on Wednesday, two runs scored; 1-for-3 Thursday, run scored), Quentin was mired in a 1-for-16 slump.
A LOOK AHEAD
John Danks (4-4, 2.90) will square off with Ted Lilly (7-5, 4.76) in the opener Friday. Both pitchers had effective outings their last time out, though they both struggled with command.
On Saturday it will be Jose Contreras (6-5, 3.24), who is coming off back-to- back losses for the first time this season, against Jason Marquis (5-3, 4.24), who is 3-0 with a 1.96 ERA over his last three starts. Javier Vazquez (7-5, 4.13) will close out the series Sunday against Ryan Dempster (8-2, 2.76). Vazquez has pitched three straight poor outings, while Dempster is 8-0 at Wrigley this season.
After an off day Monday, the White Sox continue their interleague trek in Los Angeles Tuesday to take on the Dodgers.
Original Source : http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=mlb/news/newstest.aspx?id=4158573----------------
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