White Sox Preview: 2008 ALDS rematch vs.Tampa Bay Rays

With the White Sox delayed in Detroit, in torrential rain that could even postpone tomorrows game. Lets take a look at the White Sox upcoming trip to Tampa to face the defending American Leauge Champions Rays. The White Sox have not had success in any sort of dome stadium last year, going a horrendous 3-14 in dome stadiums, which include the Tampa Bay Rays, Minnesota Twins, and the Toronto Blue Jays. A series like this out in Tampa could send the White Sox's decent current 4-3 record down to maybe 4-7, if they have the skid on turf like they did las year.

The ALDS rematch opens up on Thursday the 16th at 6:08 CT with John Danks opening the series facing Jeff Neimann. Danks, who was scheduled to start today the 14th, will be moved to start the Tampa Bay series instead because the todays game being postponed. Danks's only start this year was plagued by run support, which he did not get very much of last year, losing to the Royals 2-1. Danks threw 6 great shutout innings against the Royals, but the White Sox could not score any runs either, and was only able to score their only run on a sacrafice ground ball to score Carlos Quentin who doubled earlier that inning. But nevertheless, Danks certainly knows how to pitch against the Rays, going 3-1 lifetime against them with a very low 1.86 ERA versus the Rays. He will be facing Jeff Neimann who had an awful start against Baltimore last week, giving up a grand slam to Melvin Mora and ended up giving up 5 runs in the 1st inning. He is also 0-1 lifetime versus the White Sox with a very high 13.50 ERA. It will be dependant on the White Sox's offense to win this game.

They will then face the Rays on Friday where the Bartolo Colon, who lost an astounding 40 pounds over the offseason, will face James Shields for game 2 of the series. Colon had a great start to open his debut for the second time with the White Sox, throwing 6 innings of great baseball, only giving up 3 hits and no runs against the Twins. Colon is certaintly excited and ready to pitch for the White Sox this season. James Shield, who will be starting for the Rays, has 3 career starts against the White Sox, but no victories, going 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA. But that doesnt excuse his 20-8 home record in 44 career starts at Tropicana Field. His only victory of ever against the White Sox was last October in the ALDS, where the Rays literally triumphed the White Sox.