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First place teams meet when White Sox visit Cubs

Jun 20, 2008 - 1:41 PM Chicago White Sox (41-31) at Chicago Cubs (45-28) 2:20 p.m. EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Fresh off a lopsided sweep, the Chicago White Sox look to continue the hit parade on Friday when they open an historic three-game interleague series with cross-town rivals the Chicago Cubs.

Jermaine Dye hit a grand slam and tied a career high with six RBI on Thursday as the White Sox rallied from a six-run deficit in the second inning to complete a three-game sweep of the Pirates with a 13-8 victory. Chicago pounded out 37 runs, 44 hits and 10 homers during the series while the Pittsburgh bullpen endured a 16.00 ERA over three games.

The White Sox (41-31), who are in first place in the American League Central Division, now head eight miles north to take on the National League-leading Cubs (45-28). It is the first time the teams face off with both franchises in first place.

John Danks (4-4, 2.90 ERA) gets his first dose of the intense rivalry when he toes the rubber for the White Sox on Friday.

Danks, who leads the team in ERA this season, should take advantage of a shorthanded Cubs lineup which is without Alfonso Soriano due to a broken bone in his left hand. Cubs outfielder Reed Johnson is listed as day-to-day with back spasms while center fielder Jim Edmonds is expected to return on Saturday after missing several games with a sore left foot.

Ted Lilly (7-5, 4.76) goes for his third win in as many starts when he counters for the Cubs. The 32-year-old lefthander pitched six scoreless innings, allowing one hit while striking out six and worked around five walks during Sunday's 7-4 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.