White Sox - 8/26/03

LATEST NEWS
RECORD:69-62
PLACE:1st
GAMES BACK:-

AT THE PLATE
Sandy Alomar, C - Manager Jerry Manuel hinted last week that because of Alomar's limited playing time so far this season and Miguel Olivo's struggles offensively, Alomar will be used more down the stretch. Hasn't really sparked offensively to warrant picking him up.

Miguel Olivo, C - Because of this, Olivo should be -- if you even have him -- benched. No need to drop just yet as he's been working on his swing and could heat up and be a valuable weapon down the stretch.

Paul Konerko, 1B/DH - After a hot start out of the second half gate, Konerko has leveled off slightly, dropping his average .012 points since August 13. However, he has been playing exceptional defense, which is always key in testing a players focus.

Roberto Alomar, 2B - Despite a recent mini-slump, Alomar has been a huge addition to the White Sox both on defense and on the bases. A safe pickup with the Sox in contention down the stretch.

Jose Valentin, SS - Valentin is always a solid player to have based on his power and versatality (SS/3B), but keep in mind that in September he has a career .214 average, where he has also hit his fewest homers and RBIs in a month. Valentin has never faced Yankee lefty David Wells and that shouldn't change on Wednesday.

Joe Crede, 3B - So far in August, Crede has raised his average over .020 points, hit four homers and has driven in 15 runs. This after a mediocre season and looking similar to last year, when he heated up in September, batting .333 with 19 RBIs over his final 26 games.

Carlos Lee, LF - After showing a ton of patience in the second half of 2002, Lee has reverted back to his old ways, walking just 32 times while striking out 83, yet has managed to tie his career highs in homers (26) and RBIs (92) still with 31 games remaining. This makes him a tough sit for the upcoming series with the Yankees, but he's gone just 3-37 against Roger Clemens, David Wells and Mike Mussina combined.

Carl Everett, CF - Everett hasn't seen much of the Yankees or Tigers in his career, but has come around of late and should be a safe start this week. Don't expect him to start the second game of the series against the Yankees as Aaron Rowand will likely start against lefty David Wells.

Magglio Ordonez, RF - Once again, there is nothing to say about Ordonez, he has just been his old self.

Frank Thomas, DH/1B - His home run approach has had the same results as many other players who have done it - a lot of homers, a lot of strikeouts and many hot/cold streaks. The good thing is Thomas isn't a typical home run hitter, meaning he can always go back to hitting if needed.

ON THE MOUND
Esteban Loaiza, SP - Loaiza is 6-4 with a 4.54 ERA lifetime against the Yankees. And that is all before his transformation into one of the league's best.

Mark Buehrle, SP - Buehle was initially set to start the final game of the Yankees series this week, but the Sox have decided to start 24-year-old lefty Neal Cotts instead, giving Buehrle an extra days off and starting him in the Tigers' series opener. Buehrle didn't have his best stuff in last start, but still managed to limit the Rangers offense and pick up the win. Against the Tigers in Detroit, Buehrle should have a strong start. The only question is if the bats will show up that game.

Bartolo Colon, SP - This is why Colon was brought in - to come through down th stretch. In his career against the Yankees? 2.92 ERA in 37 innings. Against the Tigers? 4.45 ERA in 91 innings. He won't be pitching in the Tigers' series.

Jon Garland - Garland is 1-1 in three starts against the Tigers this season, giving up six runs in 20 innings. Start him.