Big series on tap for slumping Sox

The White Sox have been playing like a last-place team while losing five of seven to the lowly Athletics and Indians at home.

Starting today with a day-night doubleheader against the first-place Tigers at U.S. Cellular Field, the Sox have another chance to get something going.

The White Sox get five cracks at Detroit this week, and they could conceivably be running first in the AL Central when they open a weekend interleague series at Milwaukee.

"Throughout the course of the season, you're going to go through your ups and downs," leadoff man Scott Podsednik said. "Right now, it's kind of a dead period for us. We've got Detroit coming in. We'll try to come to the ballpark tomorrow refreshed and get off to a good start. We're not really looking at the standings right now. We've just got to take some energy into each and every game."

Catcher A.J. Pierzynski said the opponent really doesn't matter at this stage.

"I just think we need to go out and play well," Pierzynski said. "Obviously, Detroit's in first place and they've been playing great. They've been throwing the ball well and whatever, but we just need to go out and play well for ourselves. It doesn't matter if we're playing the Twins, the Royals, the Indians, the Cubs, the Nationals, the Red Sox - it doesn't really matter."

Near miss: Gordon Beckham was 0-for-4 Sunday and the Sox' regarded rookie is now 0-for-10 since coming up from Class AAA Charlotte.

Beckham nearly got his first major-league hit in the eighth inning. But with the bases loaded and two outs, Indians center fielder Trevor Crowe dove and caught his sinking line drive.

"I hit it pretty well and I got a good pitch to hit," Beckham said. "At first, I thought he was going to catch it standing up. But apparently he was real deep. I think they were playing no doubles. When he dove, I thought there was a chance, 2 runs scored and we're back in the game. He catches it and that's probably the worst feeling I've had in about two months. But that's part of the game."

Feeling a draft: The first-year player draft is Tuesday, and the White Sox have four of the first 71 picks.

In the first round, the Sox hold the No. 23 pick. They also have two compensation picks (Nos. 38 and 61) from Oakland for losing free-agent shortstop Orlando Cabrera. In the second round, the White Sox have the 71st overall pick.