Dye: Sox have talent to win World Series
Having played just eight games this season, the White Sox think they have a chance to be a competitive team.
But with a lot of baseball left on the schedule, the clubhouse attitude is decidedly wait-and-see.
Jermaine Dye has already seen enough, and the veteran right fielder is not backing off his proclamation that the Sox have better talent than they did in 2005.
Remember that team? They were the White Sox who won 99 games in the regular season and barreled through the playoffs with 11 wins in 12 games while sweeping the Houston Astros in the World Series.
At 5-3, the Sox are off to a promising start this year. And Dye sees even better days ahead.
"I just think we have better all-around talent than we did in 2005,'' Dye said. "I think the chemistry is better, too; we are all together. It's early, but we are getting up for every game, and even when we fall behind, there's a belief that we're going to come back and win.''
If this year's team is better than 2005, does that mean the White Sox are going to win the World Series again?
"No matter what club you're on, I think you feel like you're going to win the World Series, especially this early in the season,'' Dye said. "But barring injuries, I think we have the right pieces, the right players, to win the World Series. It remains to be seen what's going to happen, but I have a really good feeling because I just think we're never going to quit. It's not too early to be able to say that.''
Change it up: The White Sox' game against the Minnesota Twins on Thursday night was postponed by rain. It's been rescheduled for Monday, June 9, at 1:05 p.m.
The Sox open a three-game series against the Detroit Tigers tonight at U.S. Cellular Field, and the starting rotation has been altered.
Jose Contreras and Gavin Floyd will stay on schedule and start the first two games against the Tigers, but Javier Vazquez will slide into Sunday's start.
That pushes Mark Buehrle back to Monday, when he'll pitch against the Oakland Athletics.
Assuming the weather cooperates this weekend, Buehrle will face the A's on seven days' rest. Considering the ace left-hander was closely monitored in spring training, that raised the obvious health question.
"Buehrle is fine with a couple extra days,'' said White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper. "He'll still get his 33 starts and 200 innings. Take the rest now.''
Another left-hander, John Danks, follows Buehrle to the mound Tuesday against Oakland. Since they have similar pitching styles, the Sox don't want to pitch Buehrle and Danks on consecutive days.
"It's only going to be until the 21st (of April),'' Cooper said. "After that, they will be separated.''
Up and down: John Danks was sharp in his first start of the season, pitching 6¿ innings at Cleveland and allowing 1 run on 2 hits. Against the Twins on Wednesday night, Danks pitched 2½ innings and gave up 7 runs on 7 hits and 3 walks.
"The big difference? Strikes,'' pitching coach Don Cooper said. "The amount of strikes, quality strikes. He didn't command nearly as well and wasn't nearly as efficient. He's got to stand taller and stay on his pitches longer. It was a disappointing outing. We expect more and he does, too.''
Scouting report
White Sox vs. Detroit Tigers at U.S. Cellular Field
TV: Comcast SportsNet-Plus today; Comcast SportsNet Saturday; Channel 9 Sunday
Radio: WSCR 670-AM
Pitching matchups: The Sox' Jose Contreras (0-0) vs. Dontrelle Willis (0-0) today at 7:11 p.m.; Gavin Floyd (1-0) vs. Justin Verlander (0-1) Saturday at 12:05 p.m.; Javier Vazquez (1-1) vs. Kenny Rogers (0-2) Sunday at 1:05 p.m.
At a glance: The White Sox swept Detroit at Comerica Park last weekend, outscoring the Tigers 26-10. Detroit opened the season with 7 straight losses before finally beating the Red Sox on Wednesday. Floyd is 2-0 with a 3.03 ERA in 5 career starts against the Tigers. Willis made his first start for the Tigers against the White Sox on Saturday. The left-hander allowed only 1 hit over 5 innings, but he had 7 walks. In two games against Detroit last weekend, A.J. Pierzynski was 4-for-8 with 3 doubles, a home run and 5 RBI.
Next: Oakland Athletics at U.S. Cellular Field, Monday-Tuesday
-- Scot Gregor