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White Sox-Rays Preview

May 29, 2010 - 3:26 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Chicago (20-27) at Tampa Bay (33-15), 7:10 p.m. EDT

His record might not show it, but John Danks has been the most successful starter for the Chicago White Sox this season. He's had consistent success against the Tampa Bay Rays throughout his career.

The left-hander looks to continue his dominance of the slumping Rays and help the White Sox to a second straight win Saturday night at Tropicana Field.

Danks (4-3, 2.37 ERA) is 5-1 with a 2.35 ERA in six starts against the Rays during his four-year career - his most wins against any opponent despite the fact there are six opponents he's faced more often.

"I really don't have an answer for that. I don't know. There are plenty of teams that I don't match up well against, so I'll take a good matchup," said Danks, who allowed one run and two hits while striking out nine in eight innings of a 4-1 home win over the Rays on April 20.

Belying his record that's barely above .500, Danks has an ERA more than two runs lower than any other Chicago starter. The White Sox, however, have totaled four runs in his three losses.

Danks, who snapped a personal three-game losing streak Monday by allowing two runs in five innings of a 7-2 win at Cleveland, hopes to give Chicago (21-27) another solid start after Freddy Garcia allowed two runs in seven innings of a 4-2 victory Friday, evening this four-game series.

Now, the White Sox will aim to post consecutive wins for only the second time in a 30-game span.

Alex Rios, who hit a two-run homer Friday, continues to be one of the few consistent White Sox hitters, batting .309 with 10 home runs. He's 10 for 27 with three homers and seven RBIs in his last eight games.

Though Chicago produced just enough offense to win Friday, it didn't manage any the only time it faced Tampa Bay's scheduled starter Wade Davis.

Davis (4-4, 4.01) gave up two hits and struck out six in six innings of a 12-0 win at Chicago on April 21.

The rookie right-hander will be trying to bounce back after yielding five runs, seven hits and three walks in 3 2-3 innings of a 6-1 home loss to Boston on Monday. The runs allowed and innings pitched were both personal season worsts.

"It's competitive. You've got to bear down," said Davis, who fell to 1-3 with a 5.75 ERA in his last four starts after going 3-1 with a 2.79 ERA in his first five.

The Rays (33-16) are also stumbling as a whole. They maintain the best record in the majors despite having totaled 11 runs and hit .185 while losing four of five.

Batting .181 on the season, Tampa Bay slugger Carlos Pena went 0 for 4 on Friday and is 3 for 27 in his last eight games.

Evan Longoria, who had two hits and an RBI on Friday, is 5 for 11 in his last three games, and 7 for 20 with three RBIs in five games against the White Sox this season. However, the All-Star third baseman is 1 for 9 with three strikeouts against Danks.

The White Sox expect to have manager Ozzie Guillen back in the dugout after he missed Friday's game to attend the high school graduation of his son, Ozney, in Florida.