White Sox – Tampa Bay Rays ALDS – Game Three Preview

(Read this article and then head on over to White Sox – Rays livecast)

The White Sox go into their Game Three matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays in U.S. Cellular Field this afternoon with their backs firmly against the wall. This Sunday, Chicago finds itself in the exact same position it was in last Sunday: win or go home. Assuming the White Sox can win today (and I am) they will be in the same position tomorrow: win or go home. The question is, can they take today’s game? Before we look at some reasons why they can, here are the particulars:

Date/Time/Venue: Today, October 5 – 3:07 Central Time at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago

TV: TBS

Radio: ESPN Radio

Next Game: Monday, October 6 – 4:07 Central Time

So, why am I so confident that White Sox will win today?

1 – First off, the White Sox are at home, where they went 54-28 during the regular season. Included in those 54 wins were two back-against-the-wall triumphs over Cleveland and Detroit, plus a game 163 1-0 thriller over the Twins. Tampa Bay was a decent road team this year (40-41) but the White Sox had the 4th best home record in majors this season. (Coincidentally, do you know who was the best home team in baseball this year? The Rays.)

2 – We have a distinct advantage in the pitching matchup today. John Danks, who was brilliant against the Minnesota Twins in the one-game playoff, has been similarly brilliant against Tampa Bay this season (unlike Game Two starter Mark Buehrle, who has actually struggled against the Rays his entire career). Here are the numbers for John Danks against Tampa Bay this season:

2-1 1.86 ERA 20:3 K:BB .219 BAA

Not too shabby. How about Matt Garza against the White Sox? He did not start against them during the regular season this year, but has faced the White Sox in the past while a member of the Minnesota Twins. The stats:

1-1 4.97 ERA 14:8 K:BB .386 BAA

3 – This team and its fans never stop believing. And I firmly believe that the incredible atmosphere of U.S. Cellular Field on Tuesday against Minnesota contributed to our 1-0 victory. I anticipate the same type of atmosphere today, as does John Danks (according to quotes from Chisox.com):

“I’ve been riding a pretty high confidence level right now,” Danks said. “I feel good going into the game. Obviously, it’s a new game, anything can happen. But experiencing the atmosphere and pitching well, I think it helped. We’ll see how much it helps on Sunday, but I feel really good going into the game.

It will be difficult for a young team like the Rays to come into Chicago and get a W either today or tomorrow. They have proven their postseason mettle by winning two straight against a veteran team at home. This Rays team is a good, solid team that is built for now and for the future. But I will be both shocked, and extremely impressed, if they can get out of the South Side with a win. All bets are off once we have to travel back to their place, but for today and tomorrow it is hard to find reasons suggesting the White Sox will lose.

My pick to click? Paul Konerko, the captain. He is 3-5 with a HR and three RBI versus Garza in his career and he usually steps up when the White Sox really need it. I’m anticipating a pretty good offensive outburst from the White Sox today, and I think Paulie will lead it; and, lead the White Sox to a 7-3 victory and renewed life in the ALDS.

Who is your pick to click?

[tags]chicago white sox, tampa bay rays, mlb, mlb playoffs, baseball[/tags]

Tags: baseball, Chicago White Sox, john danks, MLB, mlb playoffs, paul konerko, tampa bay rays

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