Ritchie will go sunday now instead of glover ...
Sox get an extra arm in the bullpen with glover...
Thomas ph duty today..
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Yawn of a new day for Sox, Cubs
June 14, 2002
BY DOUG PADILLA STAFF REPORTER
The White Sox have cleaned themselves up, gotten their suits pressed, and straightened their ties. And they claim it's no big deal to be heading into Wrigley Field this weekend for the Crosstown Classic.
Paul Konerko will play first base today while Frank Thomas sits. Speedy utility man Willie Harris has arrived to lend a hand to the offense. Sandy Alomar Jr. was put on the shelf for a healthier Josh Paul. Antonio Osuna has just been anointed closer.
And offseason acquisition Todd Ritchie was given a chance to perform on the city's biggest baseball stage opposite Kerry Wood and show why the front office thought so much of him.
The Sox have a lot to prove. So why are they feigning a yawn?
"You guys make a big deal about it,'' Thomas told a reporter. "It's just another three games.''
Come on Frank. Can't you play along just a little?
But it isn't just Thomas. Sox staff ace Mark Buehrle pulled the second-class citizen routine.
"It's a Cubs town,'' Buehrle said. "Nothing against the Cubs. People like to go to that park.''
Twist it all around and perhaps Buehrle is saying that the only thing to like about the Cubs is the ballpark. But alas, all he was trying to say was that this isn't the clash of titans it's made out to be.
Sure, but even in off years there still is plenty at stake for Nebraska-Oklahoma, USC-UCLA, Michigan-Ohio State.
"It's the biggest series of the year for us, other than possibly playing in the playoffs,'' Konerko said, showing a pulse. "At Wrigley it's a lot more fun because the fans are right on top of you.''
The Sox' rotation set up well for the series and where it didn't, they forced the issue. Jon Garland (6-4), doing some of the best pitching of his young career, will start today against Matt Clement (4-4). The right-hander has a 1.27 ERA over his last three starts.
Buehrle (9-4), second in the American League in victories behind the Boston Red Sox' Derek Lowe, starts Saturday against Jon Lieber (4-4).
Sunday is an opportunity for Ritchie to shine. No. 5 starter Gary Glover was scheduled to pitch, but he will work out of the bullpen with Ritchie getting his usual rest with Thursday's day off.
Ritchie hardly is on top of his game, though, after snapping a six-game losing streak. But facing Wood could go a long way toward changing perceptions about a trade the Pittsburgh Pirates have no problem with.
"Our guys are kind of on the upswing a little bit,'' said Sox manager Jerry Manuel, who had compliments for Clement and Wood. "Jon Garland is now having some success. Mark Buehrle is becoming well known as a good young pitcher.''
But despite all the focus on pitching, Manuel wouldn't be surprised if the hitters grabbed the spotlight.
"It appears both offenses are struggling and we might have to go somewhere and pay for some runs. They might have to do the same thing,'' he said. "Then again, in that type of series, both offenses can break loose. That's the way it is. You just really don't know. It appears that you have two teams with good players struggling offensively.''
Sox get an extra arm in the bullpen with glover...
Thomas ph duty today..
=========
Yawn of a new day for Sox, Cubs
June 14, 2002
BY DOUG PADILLA STAFF REPORTER
The White Sox have cleaned themselves up, gotten their suits pressed, and straightened their ties. And they claim it's no big deal to be heading into Wrigley Field this weekend for the Crosstown Classic.
Paul Konerko will play first base today while Frank Thomas sits. Speedy utility man Willie Harris has arrived to lend a hand to the offense. Sandy Alomar Jr. was put on the shelf for a healthier Josh Paul. Antonio Osuna has just been anointed closer.
And offseason acquisition Todd Ritchie was given a chance to perform on the city's biggest baseball stage opposite Kerry Wood and show why the front office thought so much of him.
The Sox have a lot to prove. So why are they feigning a yawn?
"You guys make a big deal about it,'' Thomas told a reporter. "It's just another three games.''
Come on Frank. Can't you play along just a little?
But it isn't just Thomas. Sox staff ace Mark Buehrle pulled the second-class citizen routine.
"It's a Cubs town,'' Buehrle said. "Nothing against the Cubs. People like to go to that park.''
Twist it all around and perhaps Buehrle is saying that the only thing to like about the Cubs is the ballpark. But alas, all he was trying to say was that this isn't the clash of titans it's made out to be.
Sure, but even in off years there still is plenty at stake for Nebraska-Oklahoma, USC-UCLA, Michigan-Ohio State.
"It's the biggest series of the year for us, other than possibly playing in the playoffs,'' Konerko said, showing a pulse. "At Wrigley it's a lot more fun because the fans are right on top of you.''
The Sox' rotation set up well for the series and where it didn't, they forced the issue. Jon Garland (6-4), doing some of the best pitching of his young career, will start today against Matt Clement (4-4). The right-hander has a 1.27 ERA over his last three starts.
Buehrle (9-4), second in the American League in victories behind the Boston Red Sox' Derek Lowe, starts Saturday against Jon Lieber (4-4).
Sunday is an opportunity for Ritchie to shine. No. 5 starter Gary Glover was scheduled to pitch, but he will work out of the bullpen with Ritchie getting his usual rest with Thursday's day off.
Ritchie hardly is on top of his game, though, after snapping a six-game losing streak. But facing Wood could go a long way toward changing perceptions about a trade the Pittsburgh Pirates have no problem with.
"Our guys are kind of on the upswing a little bit,'' said Sox manager Jerry Manuel, who had compliments for Clement and Wood. "Jon Garland is now having some success. Mark Buehrle is becoming well known as a good young pitcher.''
But despite all the focus on pitching, Manuel wouldn't be surprised if the hitters grabbed the spotlight.
"It appears both offenses are struggling and we might have to go somewhere and pay for some runs. They might have to do the same thing,'' he said. "Then again, in that type of series, both offenses can break loose. That's the way it is. You just really don't know. It appears that you have two teams with good players struggling offensively.''
