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From 2009-12, the White Sox dominated the crosstown series with the Cubs, going 16-8.
But last year, the Cubs swept the four games and outscored the Sox 32-8.
That makes the all-time series standing White Sox 49, Cubs 45 -- and they're almost even in runs scored across the 94 games, with the Sox scoring 435 runs, the Cubs 428.
Again, I point you toward Russ La Croix' series preview for more statistical detail.
Of most interest in this series for Cubs fans should be watching Jose Abreu, the hot Cuban rookie who is leading the major leagues in home runs (12) and RBI (34). I should note here that's six more home runs and 16 more RBI than any Cub has. Is Abreu for real, or will pitchers make adjustments to him the second time around the league?
Also of interest: Adam Dunn, who's off to his best start in his four years with the White Sox: .273/.409/.500 with five home runs in 88 at-bats. Dunn has 27 home runs in his career at Wrigley Field, second among active players to Albert Pujols (28). I'd like to keep it that way in this series, thankyouverymuch.
And make sure you vote in the poll!
Cubs lineup:
Bonifacio CF, Lake LF, Rizzo 1B, Castro SS, Castillo C, Schierholtz RF, Olt 3B, Barney 2B, Samardzija P
White Sox lineup:
De Aza CF, Beckham 2B, Abreu 1B, Dunn LF, Viciedo RF, Ramirez SS, Flowers C, Semien 3B, Quintana P
Adam Dunn in left field. OK, a few years ago that was sort of adequate. Now? He hasn't played the field yet this year and hasn't played left field since he played one inning there last August 9. The last time he started a game in left? April 11, 2013, when the Sox played at Washington.
Guess they really want his bat in the lineup. It'll be an adventure out there.
Today's Starting Pitchers |
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These two pitchers matched up May 27, 2013 at the Cell. Shark threw a two-hit shutout. The Cubs hit Quintana hard, although as you'll note from that boxscore, five of the Cubs who played in that game aren't on the team (or active roster) today.
Shark, as you know, has been very good this year. Quintana has been "meh", though he did strike out 10 Tigers without a walk in his last start. He's walked just nine in 32 innings, so the Cubs might have to be aggressive at the plate.
Today's game is on CSN Chicago.
Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Please visit our SB Nation White Sox site South Side Sox. Be careful over there, though.
For 2014, we are going to have the same game-thread routine as 2013. Here's how it works.
You'll find the game preview -- like this one -- posting as the first link in the StoryStream™, which will then contain all the overflow threads and the recap. The recap will also be on the front page as a separate post; once I post a game recap, the stream for each game will be retitled "Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of Week) Game Threads" so you can go back and find every thread related to that particular game.
In general, game previews will post two hours before game time. Exception: for day games after night games, that will usually be 90 minutes.
You will also be able to find the First Pitch Thread and all the overflow threads in the box marked "Chicago Cubs Game Threads" at the bottom of the front page (you can also find them in this section link). They will also appear in this StoryStream™. As I've done for each regular-season game for several years now, we'll have the First Pitch thread at five minutes before game time (moved up from actual game time per your requests), then an overflow one hour, two hours and 2:45 after game time.
Discuss amongst yourselves.