MLB Baseball Interleague Matchup
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Chicago White Sox |
Chicago Cubs |
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| Teams |
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| Chicago White Sox |
- |
- |
- |
| Chicago Cubs |
-128 |
-130 |
-130 |
Odds subject to change |
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 The success that both the White Sox and Cubs have enjoyed thus far in 2008 has presented the possibility of another all-Chicago World Series.
While the realization of that is still a long way off, this weekend's series between the crosstown rivals should have a playoff feeling.
The division-leading teams will meet for the first time this season on Friday as the White Sox try to end the Cubs' 11-game home winning streak in the opener of a three-game set at Wrigley Field.
It's been over a century since the last all-Chicago World Series - a matchup in 1906 that saw the White Sox defeat the favored Cubs in six games. The Cubs went on two win the next two titles, but have yet to capture another, while the White Sox ended an 88-year championship drought in 2005.
Though Friday marks the latest date that both teams have been in first since Sept. 9, 2003, this is the first time in their all-time interleague rivalry that both clubs enter atop their respective divisions.
"Both teams have played well this year, which adds to it," Cubs manger Lou Piniella said "We look forward to the challenge of facing them."
The Cubs (45-28) have a 3 1/2-game lead over St. Louis in the NL Central, while the White Sox (41-31) carry a 4 1/2-game advantage over Minnesota.
The teams have split 60 interleague meetings, each going 16-14 at home. The rivalry continues next weekend with three games at U.S. Cellular Field.
The Cubs are an NL-best 29-8 at home, and have won 11 in a row at Wrigley since losing to Pittsburgh on May 17. That is their longest home win streak since a 13-game run from May 19-June 17, 2001.
"You go to ballparks and you know which ones that everybody is going to heckle you and all that, but hopefully our play on the field will be able to keep those guys quiet a little bit," said White Sox right fielder Jermaine Dye, who has hit .284 (27-for-95) with six homers and 13 RBIs in 27 career games at Wrigley.
Dye hit two homers - including his seventh career grand slam - and had a career high-tying six RBIs in a 13-8 victory over Pittsburgh on Thursday that completed a three-game sweep.
With seven wins in nine interleague games this season, the White Sox will try to improve that record behind John Danks (4-4, 2.90 ERA).
The left-hander has helped his team win three of his last four starts despite finishing without a decision in the last three. He pitched six scoreless innings Saturday against Colorado, but didn't receive a decision in his team's 2-0 loss.
Danks, who has never faced the Cubs, is 2-1 with a 1.72 ERA in six road starts this season.
Meanwhile, Cubs starter - and fellow southpaw - Ted Lilly (7-5, 4.76) is more familiar with the White Sox, against whom he is 5-2 with a 6.22 ERA in nine career starts. He has won his last two starts versus them, yielding five runs in 13 1-3 innings.
Lilly has been solid in three June starts, a stretch in which he has allowed five runs over 20 innings. He threw six scoreless innings at Toronto on Sunday, yielding one hit with five walks in a 7-4 victory.
Lilly will try to help the Cubs avoid a season-high fourth straight loss after they were swept at Tampa Bay, a series that culminated with an 8-3 defeat on Thursday. The bullpen was unable to hold a 3-1 lead, allowing seven runs in the final two innings.
Both teams will be missing key players this weekend.
White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko, who has hit .305 with 14 homers and 38 RBIs in 49 lifetime games versus the Cubs, is on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left oblique muscle.
The Cubs will be without left fielder Alfonso Soriano, who has batted .396 (19-for-48) with six homers and 11 RBIs in 12 games versus the White Sox since May 27, 2005, because of a broken left ring finger.
Pick: Chicago Cubs
Result: Won
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