Cross-town matchup not classic
MILWAUKEE - Some White Sox players were enjoying the comedy classic "Caddyshack" on the clubhouse big screen before Sunday's series finale against Milwaukee at Miller Park.
Perhaps they'll have more laughs and good times when they play three games against the Cubs at Wrigley Field starting Tuesday. Of course, this year's season series might not be a cross-town classic.
Both the White Sox (29-34) and Cubs (29-30) entered Sunday with losing records.
Hardly Cinderella stories.
"It might the battle of who's the worst in town," cracked White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, laughing.
It was quite a different story last year. When the teams met in June, both were in first place in their respective league divisions.
Despite the two teams' struggles, Guillen is confident better days are ahead this summer.
"By the end of the season, both teams should be in the pennant race," he said. "There's no doubt. It doesn't matter if we're in last place or first place, the heat of the game will be the same.
"It's just fun, because this is as close as you can be to the playoffs."
Love him or hate him: Ozzie Guillen couldn't care less what Cubs fans think of him.
"I don't care if they hate me," said Guillen, who's never hid his disdain for Wrigley Field. "They don't feed my kids. If they hate me, that's cool. No matter how famous you are, they hate you or they love you.
"I never put the Cubs fan down. I've always admired the Cubs' (front) office. I've always been public with my feelings about Cubs players, the managers - Lou (Piniella) now. (General manager) Jim Hendry, I have a lot of respect for him - a lot, a lot."
Wrigley Field is another story.
"I puke every time I go there," Guillen said. "I'm just being honest. If Cubs fans don't like the way I talk about Wrigley Field, they have to respect my opinion.
"It's one of the best fields to play, because it's always packed and all the old-school stuff. Besides that, it's terrible."
While he doesn't like the "building," as he called it, Guillen has no problem with Cubs' employees.
"Every time I walk through Wrigley Field, people treat me like a king," he said. "The people who work at Wrigley Field - the front-office people, the security guards - they really treat me well."
No Ordinary Jose: As expected, the White Sox have moved up Jose Contreras in the rotation in light of how well he's pitched since his recall from Class AAA Charlotte on June 8.
Contreras, who pitched 8 shutout innings against Milwaukee on Saturday after throwing 8 scoreless innings against Detroit last Monday, will start Thursday's 1:20 p.m. series finale against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Clayton Richard will start Friday night's series opener at Cincinnati.
"We have to win as many games as we can as soon as possible, just to continue to be a contender," Ozzie Guillen said. "That's important to us."