Cleveland @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 1, 2010 ) Chi. White Sox 6, Cleveland 4

Paul Konerko could be entering his final weekend with the Chicago White Sox. If so, he went out with a bang.

Konerko’s ninth grand slam of the season on Thursday sparked an 8-2 win over Boston and set up what could be a memorable final weekend at home. Konerko has 39 homers and 111 RBIs this season and he will be a free agent after the season. He needs a pair of homers and six RBIs off Tribe pitching to match career highs he set in 2004.

It wasn’t very long ago when the 34-year-old Konerko seemed to be reaching the end of his career. He hit .240 and .277 each of the last two years and averaged 25 homers and 75 RBIs over the same time. Now he enters the final weekend batting .310 and forcing general manager Ken Williams into a difficult choice.

The White Sox have been grooming Cuban slugger Dayan Viciedo for two years. Viciedo, who can play either corner infield spot, was viewed as a potential replacement for Konerko next season, but Konerko’s incredible numbers may force the White Sox to rethink that strategy.

He isn’t the only player previously considered washed up to come back strong. Cleveland starter Fausto Carmona battled through two awful seasons and pushed through a terrible second half this year to post a great September.

Carmona became an All-Star this year, but lost six straight starts during the second half. He bounced back with a remarkable September (1.82 ERA, two complete games, 24 strikeouts, 11 walks).

The Indians are winners of six straight, but haven’t won seven in a row since Sept. 15-22, 2008. They’re two games up on the Royals for last place in the American League Central division after finishing last a year ago and they’ve already won three more games than they did a year ago.

Carmona has beaten the White Sox in both of his starts against them this year and hasn’t lost to them since April 13, 2007.

The White Sox will counter with Tony Pena, who won his first game as a starter in his most recent appearance. Pena, who has spent most of the season as a reliever, will be making his third and final start of the season.

Chicago began the season with legitimate playoff hopes and added Manny Ramirez to try and ignite the offense over the season’s final month. It didn’t pan out, but the White Sox still enter the final weekend having won seven of their last eight.