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Indians-White Sox Preview

Oct 1, 2010 - 5:48 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Cleveland (68-91) at Chicago (86-73), 8:10 p.m. EDT

While it could be his last weekend with the Chicago White Sox, Paul Konerko has the chance to make it a memorable one.

Konerko and the White Sox open a three-game series Friday night against the Cleveland Indians, trying for their first win over Fausto Carmona in more than three years.

Konerko hit a grand slam - his ninth of the season - in an 8-2 win over Boston on Thursday as he continues to put up some of the best numbers of his career.

The 34-year-old first baseman is hitting .312 with 39 homers and 111 RBIs. He needs two more home runs and six RBIs over the final three games to match career highs set in 2004.

Konerko, who is a free agent after this season, said before the game he'd like to remain with the team but knows it's not up to him.

"Obviously it's a business, so they have to figure out payroll stuff and when they do that, then hopefully I'm in their conversation, as far as being brought back," he said.

He's helped the White Sox (86-73) win seven of eight, including three in a row. With a victory Friday, they will even the season series with the Indians at eight wins apiece.

Cleveland (68-91), though, is ending the season strong as well. It's coming off Tuesday's doubleheader sweep of Detroit, and is in position for its first seven-game winning streak since Sept. 15-22, 2008.

"I told them that if you don't play as hard as you've been playing, that's what people are going to remember heading into the offseason," manager Manny Acta told the Indians' official website.

Acta will hand the ball to Carmona (12-14, 3.79 ERA), who looks to win his seventh straight start against the White Sox.

Carmona is winless in his last three starts overall, although he's coming off an outstanding September in which he posted a 1.82 ERA with two complete games in five starts. He had a record of just 1-1.

Carmona gave up two runs in five innings of a 5-3 win over Kansas City on Sunday.

The right-hander is 2-0 with a 4.50 ERA in two starts against the White Sox this year, and hasn't lost to them since April 13, 2007. He is 6-0 with a 3.43 ERA in seven starts since and Chicago batters have hit .201 against him.

Konerko, who has five home runs among his 12 hits against the Indians this season, has two career homers in 11 at-bats against Carmona.

Tony Pena (5-2, 4.85) will start for Chicago after picking up his first win as a starter Sunday against the Angels. He gave up three runs in six innings of a 4-3 victory.

The right-hander has given up two runs and 11 hits in 13 2-3 innings of relief against the Indians this season.