Chicago @ Chicago preview
Wrigley Field
Last Meeting ( Jun 12, 2010 ) Chi. White Sox 2, Chi. Cubs 1
The tension is rising on the Chicago baseball scene, but for once it has nothing to do with the White Sox and Ozzie Guillen.
In fact, everything is hugs and kisses for Chicago's team in the American League. The White Sox have won four in a row for the first time this season, including the first two of this weekend's crosstown series with the Cubs.
Granted, considering all the individuals and factors involved, the stress level on the south side could be back on high at any moment. However, the anxiety level is at red alert on the north side of town where the Cubs are feeling the heat.
Lou Piniella's team has lost nine of 12 and three in a row. The Cubs are 14-15 at home so even their Wrigley Field edge is evaporating. The Cubs are eight games below .500 for the first time since June 5, 2007, when they were 24-32.
Not only are the Cubs fading away in the National League Central, Piniella is feuding with some media members who have been questioning the way he's handled his team.
Being swept by the White Sox at home will only make matters worse. It will be up to Ted Lilly, who has won once in nine starts and has gone eight outings in a row without a victory, to avoid a sweep. The left-hander's only win came in his first start of the season when he threw six shutout innings on April 24 against Milwaukee.
Lilly (1-5) has pitched better than his record indicates. He has made six quality starts in a row, but has three losses and three no-decisions to show for it. Lilly's last start typifies his fortunes.
He held the Brewers to one run - Corey Hart's homer - and struck out eight in eight innings. He left with a 2-1 lead, but Carlos Marmol blew the game in the ninth and the Cubs went home with a 3-2 loss.
Gavin Floyd (2-6) looks for his first win since May 22 against Florida. The right-hander has one win in his last seven starts, but has been giving the White Sox much-needed innings. Floyd has pitched at least six innings in eight of the last nine times he's taken the mound.
The White Sox rolled to a 10-5 win Friday, thanks to home runs by Alex Rios, A.J. Pierzynski and Carlos Quentin. The Sox got strong pitching by Mark Buehrle and two RBIs from Paul Konerko in Saturday's 2-1 victory.