Other flaws aside, Sox believe they are pitching rich

With all the worries about second base, third base and center field, let's not pretend this White Sox season is about anything other than starting pitching.

As was the case last year, this year and every year, with this team, that team and every team, if the Sox' rotation is solid, they'll win the division.

"This is the American League," Ozzie Guillen said Tuesday, with a knowing laugh. "You better pitch well in this league if you want to win anything."

Simple concept, sure, but often overlooked when more interesting issues crop up on Opening Day.

"Yes," said GM Ken Williams. "Pitching is the first line of defense."

You'd have to say right now that John Danks is as solid as they come, and with even more confidence than last year after his two monster starts in Games 163 and 166.

"I've never been more excited," Danks said Tuesday. "Let's go already."

Gavin Floyd has the best stuff, and if there were questions about his innards, he answered those with a gutty performance in Game No. 162, pitching on fumes and beating Detroit to force a playoff with the Twins.

Mark Buehrle hasn't been the same since 2005, but he'll pitch until his arm falls off, most of the time giving the Sox a chance to win. On Tuesday he left after 5 innings trailing 2-1, before the Sox rallied to beat the Royals, 4-2.

"He didn't give in," said catcher A.J. Pierzynski. "Mark battled and showed some signs he's getting closer."

The key is Jose Contreras, and the way he's moved off the mound and covered first this spring suggests he has no concerns about his Achilles.

"I wasn't counting on him, but then I saw him and I thought this could be pretty good," Guillen said. "That's why they're here, him and (Bartolo) Colon.

Contreras' arm appears sound, he's in great shape, and he's put behind him some personal issues, but the Sox are trying to keep themselves from dreaming of the Contreras circa 2005.

"I won't lower the bar," said pitching coach Don Cooper. "But if Jose is throwing 92 or 93 mph with command, it would be really huge for us.

"He and Colon are both at about the end of Week 3 of spring training. They're not where they're going to be a few weeks from now."

Williams is even more optimistic.

"I think it's a good bet that Contreras will surprise everyone," Williams said. "And wait until you see Bartolo. These guys are going to be a force."

You will see Colon this weekend, and if he's as good as Williams thinks he'll be, the Sox are in a good spot.

"They could make this a great season," Guillen said. "Our pitching could do that."

Just fielding

Third baseman Josh Fields made one terrific play behind the bag Tuesday to save a run - a play he said he couldn't have made before his October knee surgery - but also failed to track down a catchable pop foul near the tarp.

All in all, he was average in the field, which will be good enough this year if he hits.

And he had the most important hit of Game 1 when he dropped a bunt down the third baseline on a 2-1 pitch to lead off the eighth, with the Sox down 2-1. A few minutes later, Jim Thome's 3-run homer put the Sox ahead 4-2.

"(Kyle) Farnsworth throws hard, and after I took a strike, I saw Alex (Gordon) move back at third," Fields said. "I got a good pitch for it and I was fortunate to get it down."

Fields was 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI, a terrific start to his 2009 season.

"His mechanics (at the plate) are great. Now it's between the ears," said hitting coach Greg Walker. "He's a tough kid, used to big stages. He played QB at a big school (Oklahoma State) in big games. He can handle it.

"We're not asking him to be the cleanup hitter. He's hitting ninth. He doesn't have to carry the team. He just has to be part of it."

Here we go again

Reliever Mike MacDougal is back with the Sox and has them optimistic again.

"If MacDougal can pitch the way we think he can," Ozzie Guillen said, "we're gonna have a pretty good bullpen."

MacDougal's stuff is lights out and you hope for his sake that he's finally got it figured out, but haven't we seen this movie before?

Play of the day

Josh Fields tagged up at first on a foul bunt that Royals catcher Miguel Olivo almost made an incredible play on near the Sox' on deck circle.

Fields would have easily made second had Olivo held on, and would have put the tying run in scoring position even after a failed bunt by Dewayne Wise. Gotta love the smarts and hustle by Fields.

Stat of the day

Chris Getz and Josh Fields were a combined 4-for-7 with 2 runs and an RBI.

Unsung hero

Clayton Richard, next in line to start a game if anyone falters, pitched 2 perfect innings in relief of Mark Buehrle.

And finally

Ozzie Guillen on Jim Thome: "You work hard, like Jimmy does, you deserve to be in this game as long as you want. Lazy people should be home."