Big series looming for White Sox
DETROIT - As he prepares for tonight's start against the Twins at the Metrodome, Mark Buehrle said he's nervous, he might not get much sleep and he'll probably be spending more time that usual in the bathroom.
As is often the case, Buehrle was joking. But the White Sox' ace left-hander seriously thinks four important games against Minnesota are in store.
"Obviously, it's a big series," Buehrle said. "But if we go out and lose a game, it's not the end of the world."
The Twins beat the Indians on Sunday to creep to within 2 games of the first-place Sox in the AL Central.
"Situations like this are kind of what you play the game for," Buehrle said. "They're big games and you want to win them. I want to go out and win and try to get us off on the right foot and hopefully we'll win the series."
After losing ace starter Johan Santana and Gold Glove center fielder Torii Hunter during the off-season, it was supposed to be a down year for the Twins.
"I never had any doubt in my mind that team was good," Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "I looked at that team during spring training and how they are going to play, what ammunition they have to beat you. They run, they don't beat themselves and they have a few players there who are way underrated."
The Sox are 7-4 against the Twins this season and have won the last five contests by a combined score of 46-17.
Rolling along: Jermaine Dye is over half way through his 13th season in the major leagues, but that doesn't mean the White Sox' right fielder takes the game for granted.
"He's as hot as doughnut grease right now," Nick Swisher said.
Continuing a tear on Sunday that started in June, Dye went 2-for-3 and hit a home run in his third consecutive game in the Sox' 6-4 loss to the Tigers at Comerica Park.
"It's just gaining another year of experience and understanding what pitchers are trying to do to me," the 34-year-old Dye said. "I've been sticking with a game plan and so far it's worked out great."
Over his last 10 games, Dye is batting .487 (19-for-39) with 4 homers and 12 RBI.
"I go into a game watching pitchers, watching how they pitch," Dye said. "I'm just picking out a spot in the strike zone and trying to take advantage of it if the ball comes in there. I haven't been missing."
Step it up: Closer Bobby Jenks was on the disabled list before the all-star break and ace setup man Scott Linebrink is currently on the shelf with a sore shoulder.
The two key losses have put some pressure on the White Sox' bullpen, but Octavio Dotel said there's no time to make excuses.
"We miss (Linebrink), but we've got to go with what we've got," Dotel said. "We've all got to go out there and give 100 percent effort."
Thornton returns: After being sidelined with tightness in his back, Matt Thornton was back on the mound Sunday.
The Sox' left-handed pitched 1 scoreless inning against the Tigers.
"I probably could have pitched before, but they were just being a little cautious with me," Thornton said. "It feels pretty good, I just have to make sure I stretch a little more before I pitch to keep everything loose."