Peavy prepares for challenge opposite Greinke

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Jake Peavy said he gets fired up for every start, even a mythical one against one of the White Sox' beat writers.

"It doesn't really matter to me," Peavy said.

At the same time, the Sox' 29-year-old right-hander knows Wednesday night's matchup against Royals ace Zack Greinke is likely to be different than most.

"I think you understand going into some games, 'Hey, runs might not be easy to come by,'" Peavy said. "So you go in with that gameplan. Sometimes when you get some runners on, maybe a guy on third base with less than one out early, sometimes you concede that run. I think when you're facing a guy as well revered as Greinke, you understand the situation, you understand that runs are at a premium and you do all you can do.

"You never went to give up runs, but at times you let the game dictate how you pitch. You don't want to give that guy too many runs to work with. (Wednesday) night, I'll go as hard as I can for as long as I can."

Peavy is still eschewing bullpen sessions in between starts in favor of getting treatment on his throwing shoulder. Considering he's thrown 21 straight scoreless innings and won his last 3 starts, the plan seems sound.

"It's funny how sometimes you don't feel that well and you go out there and perform well," Peavy said. "Sometimes you feel like you're invincible and you go out there and don't have your greatest start. I've just been fortunate to come upon some good fortune here of late, and blessed."

Peavy (7-5, 4.71 ERA) hopes to resume throwing bullpens between starts after the break. Until then, he'll remain a regular guest of Herm Schneider in the trainer's room.

"I spend a couple hours in there every day," Peavy said. "I can't even tell you what all these machines are they've got me hooked up to. I can just tell you modern medicine and all of that technology in that training room is above my head."

Peavy was throwing 95 mph consistently after making an adjustment earlier in the season. The velocity has dropped a bit during his shoulder issue.

"Good days and bad days," Peavy said. "Just continue to pitch and try to change speeds, no matter if I have good velocity or not. Change speeds and try to keep guys off balance. If I can be anywhere from 91 to 93 (mph), I feel like I've got enough in the tank to go out there and change speeds and locate."