MLB: 5 Keys to the Cubs-White Sox Crosstown Classic
Chicago's two baseball teams renew their interleague rivalry Monday night at U.S. Cellular Field. The White Sox took four of six from the Cubs a season ago, and lead the all-time interleague series 41-37.
As usual, you can throw out the records.
Both teams have struggled mightily in the early stages of the season, though the White Sox have climbed back into contention in the AL Central. The Cubs sit 13 games below .500.
Here are a few things to keep an eye on in the three games on the south side.
Weekend Momentum (or Lack of It)
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The White Sox hold a slight advantage here.
The White Sox are coming off of an 8-2 win Sunday afternoon, taking two of three in Arizona.
The Cubs got a promising victory over the Yankees Friday, but dropped two of three to the Yankees, including Sunday night's 10-4 loss.
The Cubs are 6-6 in their last 12 ball games, while the White Sox are 7-5 in that span.
Pitching Matchups
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Monday: Carlos Zambrano (5-4) vs. Gavin Floyd (6-6)
Floyd is 5-2 with a 1.71 ERA in interleague play but lost a 1-0 decision to the Cubs last season in his only appearance in the Crosstown Classic.
Zambrano was shelled in his last game against the White Sox and got himself suspended by his team after going crazy in the dugout.
Tuesday: Matt Garza (3-6) vs. Mark Buehrle (6-5)
Buehrle comes off an impressive start against the Twins, though he dropped a 1-0 decision. Buehrle has five victories over the Cubs in his career and sports a 24-6 interleague record. On the other hand, the Cubs have handed him four of those defeats.
Garza is 1-2 with a 6.67 ERA against the White Sox and won his last start despite giving up five runs against the Brewers.
Wednesday: Doug Davis (1-5) vs. Jake Peavey (2-1).
Davis picked up his first win of the season this weekend over the Yankees, while Peavey is due back after an injury (surprise!) that forced him out of a start against Detroit.
The Ex-Factor
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Just two players are familiar with both clubs. Both are currently residing on the south side.
Pierre has not been effective in the leadoff spot or on the base paths for the White Sox. He is currently plodding along with a .257 batting average and has just 10 steals in 19 attempts. He has only attempted two steals this month.
Ohman has no record and a 5.60 ERA in 23 appearances this season.
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Paul Konerko, Cub Clubber
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Konerko has 16 homers in 222 plate appearances versus the Cubs, or one in every 13.87 at bats. He had two in last season's games and comes off a weekend where he went yard in each of the games in Arizona.
Konerko is the leader of the White Sox offense and is red hot (.426, 8 homers, 15 RBI) this month.
Can he keep it up against the Cubs?
The Crosstown Cup (For Those Who Care)
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Since BP didn't use the Crosstown Cup to plug up last year's oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico, it is available for both Chicago teams to vie for in 2011.
BP, on their official Crosstown Cup page, claims to have raised the stakes of the rivalry with the addition of the three-foot trophy. If all fans of the cup-holder got free gas for the year, maybe I'd get more excited about it.
The truth is that while fans on both sides enjoy the bragging rights, both Chicago teams need wins to contend in their respective divisions. The Crosstown Classic is a fun series to watch on either side of town, but to be the only thing your team is playing for at this stage of the season rings a bit hollow.
Both the Cubs and Whites Sox are hoping these next three games provides a spark. We will soon see if that is the case.
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