The White Sox and Diamondbacks each can be considered surprises so far this season. The White Sox (33-37) for their poor play and the Diamondbacks (38-32) for how well they have played. Many had picked the Diamondbacks to finish in last-place in the N.L West, while most considered the White Sox to be favorites in the A.L. Central. Here we are in the Middle of June and the Diamondbacks are only a game and a half behind the first-place Giants, while the White Sox are five and a half out in the A.L. Central.
An interesting side note in the series opener is the starting pitchers for each team. The day before the trade deadline last season the Diamondbacks traded Edwin Jackson to the White Sox for pitcher Daniel Hudson. Looking at the trade a year later the Diamondbacks seem to have gotten the better end of that deal.
Daniel Hudson will get the start in game one for Arizona against his former team. Hudson (7-5) started out slow but has been great lately. In his last ten starts Hudson is 7-1 with an ERA of 3.06.
Edwin Jackson will take the bump for the Sox. Jackson has been very inconsistant all season. The righty comes into Friday's start against his former club with a 4-5 record and an ERA of 4.39.
The forecast for game one is temps outside in the 90's but with the roof closed should be a comfortable 70 degrees. First pitch is scheduled for 8:40 CST. The game can be seen on CSN.