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White Sox-Yankees Preview

Apr 30, 2010 - 3:51 AM By MATT BECKER STATS Senior Writer

Chicago (8-13) at New York (13-7), 7:05 p.m. EDT

The New York Yankees eased Andy Pettitte into spring training with hopes the 37-year-old would still be strong for a playoff push.

As it turns out, the early rest for the veteran is having an immediate impact.

Off to the best start of his 16-year career, Pettitte looks to win his fourth consecutive start Friday night when the Yankees open a three-game set against the Chicago White Sox in the Bronx.

Although Pettitte (3-0, 1.29 ERA) pitched well in last year's playoffs to help New York (14-7) win its 27th World Series, the left-hander seemed to tire down the stretch in the regular season. To combat that problem, the Yankees decided to lighten his spring-training work.

The left-hander didn't make his preseason debut until March 17, and totaled 8 1-3 innings pitched in two Grapefruit League games.

That strategy seems to be paying dividends. Pettitte has yielded only four runs in 28 innings, and his ERA is his lowest ever through four starts. The two-time All-Star is coming off his best outing, allowing one run, six hits and no walks with a season-best eight strikeouts in eight innings of Saturday's 7-1 win at Los Angeles.

"So hopefully, me missing all of spring training, as far as competition, will be a blessing in disguise and I'll feel strong throughout the season," said Pettitte, who hasn't won his first four decisions since starting 5-0 in 1997.

Pettitte pitched well in his only start against the White Sox last season, giving up two runs, five hits and no walks with eight strikeouts in 6 1-3 innings, but didn't receive a decision in a 3-2 loss July 30.

The White Sox (9-13) arrive in New York after defeating Texas 7-5 on Thursday to snap a six-game road losing streak.

"It's been a bit of a rough ride, but we're starting to come together as a team," said Gavin Floyd, Thursday's starter and winning pitcher.

Avoiding the sweep against the Rangers was an important step for a struggling White Sox team, especially with this series looming. Chicago was outscored 23-5 in losing all three games at Yankee Stadium last season, and is 2-11 in New York since 2006.

Paul Konerko once again led the way for the White Sox on Thursday, hitting two homers. Konerko leads the majors with 10 home runs and is 8 for 19 (.421) with five homers and eight RBIs in his last six games.

"He's been carrying this ballclub," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "Hopefully he'll continue to do that."

Like Konerko, Robinson Cano is shouldering the offense for New York, which defeated Baltimore 4-0 on Thursday to complete a 5-4 road trip.

The second baseman homered twice Thursday - giving him eight on the season - and is 13 for 21 (.619) with four home runs, five RBIs and nine runs scored in his last five games. He extended his hitting streak to eight games and raised his average to an AL-best .407.

"The dude's on fire," teammate Nick Swisher said of Cano. "He's in a zone right now and not missing any pitches."

However, Cano is 1 for 9 lifetime against scheduled Chicago starter Freddy Garcia (0-2, 5.82).

After being tagged for seven runs and eight hits in three innings of a 7-3 loss to Toronto on April 15, Garcia allowed two runs and two hits in seven innings of Saturday's 5-4 win over Seattle, but didn't receive a decision.

Facing New York might not be the best way for Garcia to earn his first win of the season.

The right-hander is 0-3 with a 6.16 ERA in five starts against the Yankees since leading the Mariners to a 6-2 win in the Bronx on May 3, 2002. In his lone start against New York last season, Garcia allowed three runs and four hits in six innings of an 8-3 loss Aug. 30.