'Sodfather' figures to give South Siders some help

Joe Maddon expects his team to get hosed this afternoon at U.S. Cellular Field.

And also in Game 4, if necessary.

Relax, it's not what you think. The Tampa Bay manager isn't worried about the umpires or some kind of grand conspiracy against his Rays.

No, Maddon knows exactly who's going to do the hosing and his name is Roger Bossard. The Sodfather. The longtime Sox head groundskeeper who will do whatever necessary to give the Men in Black every advantage possible against the Rays.

And if that includes the liberal use of water, so be it.

"He really tailors the entire infield to his defenders," Maddon said. "It will be a little bit wetter in one spot. It will be a little bit drier in another.

"It may be a little bit wet around first base because we can run. It may be a little bit wet in front of the plate because they hit more flyballs than groundballs."

Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said he hadn't spoken to Bossard about preparations, but plans to after hearing Maddon's remarks.

"I will talk to Roger about it - that's going to be our advantage. I will tell them make sure you have a swimming pool at first base," Guillen said with a laugh. "But I don't get into that. I don't. Believe me I don't. Because I think they're going to run no matter what even if the field is wet.

"The field is always wet here because that's the way we keep it all around the bases."