• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Young lefthanders match up on the south side

Jun 19, 2007 - 1:29 PM Florida (33-38) at Chi White Sox (29-37) 8:11 pm EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) - Dontrelle Willis is the constant subject of trade rumors around this time every season.

Willis will try to focus on the opposing batters Tuesday when the Florida Marlins visit the Chicago White Sox.

Being the second-highest paid player on a team with the second-lowest payroll on the major leagues, Willis (7-6, 4.58 ERA) knows that teams will be calling to inquire about the availibility of his services should the Marlins fall any further out of the race.

The 25-year-old lefthander has not helped his value with three straight losses. Willis was a hard-luck loser last Thursday, when he allowed just two earned runs and struck out ight over seven innings, but took the loss against Cleveland.

He will have a more difficult test than he might have imagined a few days ago. The White Sox offense - by far the worst in the majors this season - seems to be waking up.

Chicago is averaging over seven runs per game over its last three contests.

Taking the mound for the White Sox will be rookie John Danks (3-6, 4.34). The 22-year-old lefthander is also struggling to get in the win column, going 0-2 over his last four starts.

Danks was pulled out of his start last Wednesday after just 4 2/3 innings. He had allowed two runs and five hits, but walked three and threw 103 pitches.