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White Sox look to return favor against Cubs

Jun 27, 2008 - 12:52 PM Chi Cubs (49-30) at Chi White Sox (43-35) 4:05 p.m EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- After getting swept on the North Side last weekend, the Chicago White Sox will be looking to return the favor when they host the Chicago Cubs on Friday.

The best home team in the majors at 33-10, the Cubs made easy work of the White Sox at Wrigley Field last weekend, outscoring them 22-11 in the three-game sweep. Aramis Ramirez did most of the damage for the Cubs, going 6-for-13 with four homers and eight RBI.

But the road has been a different story for the Cubs, who have compiled a 16-20 record away from the Friendly Confines.

No slouches at home, the White Sox are leading the American League Central thanks in large part to a 24-11 mark at U.S. Cellular Field.

But the White Sox can win on the road as well, and they took two of three from the Los Angeles Dodgers during the week - winning Thursday's series finale when young lefthander John Danks outdueled Dodgers' phenom Clayton Kershaw in a 2-0 win.

If the White Sox hope to win on Friday, they will have to find a way to solve Cubs starter Ryan Dempster (9-2, 2.63 ERA). The converted closer has been a revelation as a starter for the Cubs and was bumped up a day in the rotation so that he could get a maximum number of starts in before the All-Star break.

Dempster leads the National League with a .203 batting average against and ranks fourth in ERA. The righthander allowed one run in eight innings to earn a win against the White Sox last Sunday.

The White Sox will counter with righthander Jose Contreras (6-6, 3.96), who was lit up by the Cubs last Saturday, allowing nine runs and 10 hits in just 3 1/3 innings. He has lost his past three starts while posting a 10.13 ERA.