• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Rays continue crucial stretch in opener against White Sox

Aug 22, 2008 - 10:25 AM Tampa Bay (77-49) at Chi White Sox (73-53)

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Tampa Bay Rays aren't suffocating in the American League playoff hunt, but they could use a breather. Thanks to stellar play by the Chicago White Sox, this stop on a road trip won't provide one.

The Rays face the White Sox on Friday in the start of a weekend series before returning to Tropicana Field for nine games.

After a 10-game swing to face the Seattle Mariners, Oakland Athletics and Texas Rangers, the Rays hosted the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Now, they go back on the road to square off against yet another contender.

The Rays took two of three games against the Angels, further heating the race toward tallying the AL's best record.

Meanwhile, the White Sox have won nine of their last 11 and are making it hard for the Minnesota Twins (72-54) to enjoy their success.

Edwin Jackson (9-8, 3.97 ERA) will take the mound for Tampa Bay, looking to win his fifth decision in the last six. The 24-year-old righthander has held opponents to two runs or less in seven of his last 10 starts and hasn't allowed more than three runs nine times in that span.

However, he is 0-2 with an 8.71 ERA in two starts against the White Sox.

Chicago will counter with John Danks (10-5, 3.11), who has won all three career starts against the Rays while posting a 2.50 ERA. Opposing Jackson in May, Danks gave up one run and six hits with eight strikeouts in six innings.

The lefthander is 7-1 with a 3.18 ERA in his last 15 starts.

Chicago has won six straight and 12 of 15 at US Cellular Field to improve to 45-19 at home. But it is 9-14 against the AL East, and Friday's contest begins a nine-game stretch against those foes.