The White Sox have already won their first series victory of the season and today go for their first sweep against Cleveland. The back-to-back wins to start the year were the first such combo to start a season for the Sox since their World Series winning season in 2005.
At Wrigley, the Cubs will take on the pesky Pirates in the rubber match to determine the winner of the series. The Cubs and Pirates traded comeback victories this weekend, and it's sure to be a close game.
Sox At Indians, Progressive Field, Cleveland, 12:05 P.M. CDT:
John Danks will take the mound today against the Cleveland Indians in his first start. John Danks has been one of the more consistent White Sox starters over the last several seasons, though he'll have tough competition today in Cleveland's Justin Masterson. Masterson has a career 2.41 ERA against the White Sox in just over 40 innings of play.
The strategy for the Sox today looks to be much the same as of the last two days. Hit Cleveland early and often. Gordon Beckham and Carlos Quentin have both started the season well, both starting .625 averages over two games. Quentin also has seven RBIs. A slight change to the lineup from yesterday will occur when Omar Vizquel gets the start at 3B after the error filled day of Brent Morel.
The weather is forecasted to be in the mid-40s with light showers. Today's game will be televised on CSN Chicago.
Cubs vs. Pirates, Wrigley Field, Chicago, 1:20 P.M. CDT:
Matt Garza, acquired in the off-season from Tampa Bay, will make his first start as a Chicago Cub on Sunday afternoon against the Pirates. Garza had a rough spring, compiling an ERA over 10 during his Arizona action. When asked about his struggles Garza blamed the rough dry heat of the desert, and said that he was looking forward to getting back to Chicago where the moisture content in the air is higher. He'll get his wish today, if the Cubs get the game in, as the weather is forecasted to be in the upper 50s to low 60s with scattered thunderstorms.
Ross Ohlendorf will take the mound for the Pirates. Ohlendorf also had a rough spring training, with no wins under his belt and no starts over five innings long. In three starts against the Cubs he sports a 1.35 ERA, but is coming off a year plagued by injuries in which he had an overall 6.35 ERA.
Starlin Castro will lead off the Cubs lineup today as he tries to continue his dominance of NL Central opponents. Castro has a .300+ average against NL Central teams since his call-up last year. Following him will be Darwin Barney, who will again get the start at second base after sitting on Saturday.
Today's game will be televised on WGN and ROOT Sports.