Ready to turn the page

CLEVELAND -- White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen demanded a better effort from his players during spring training.

Guillen was convinced the seeds for last year's 72-90 record were planted in the Arizona desert, and he wanted no part of a repeat performance.

"Last season … it almost killed me," Guillen said.

While he has rarely put much stock in exhibition wins and losses, Guillen wanted to see more of the former this spring after the Sox went 10-22 in 2007.

Before splitting a pair of exhibition games in Oklahoma City and Memphis, Tenn., the White Sox were 10-18-3 in the Cactus League. That's not better than last spring, but Guillen saw some positives.

"It was good," Guillen said. "Maybe the loss and win column was not what we expected, but I think we played better in spring training as a ballclub. Maybe a couple days we were real lousy and didn't play the way we should be playing, but overall I'm pretty happy.

"They went through a nice, different spring training. In general, it was what we were looking for. Everything was different because there was a lot of fighting for jobs. Before we had the team set. This year we had a couple good fights for spots and they did it the right way. I'm happy."

When the Sox open the 2008 season today against the Indians at Progressive (formerly Jacobs) Field, many of the new additions will be on display.

Nick Swisher is scheduled to play left field and bat leadoff, with shortstop Orlando Cabrera hitting second.

Another newcomer, Alexei Ramirez, gets the start in center field and bats seventh today, ahead of third baseman Joe Crede, who missed most of last season after having back surgery.

Adding Swisher, Cabrera, Ramirez and relief pitchers Scott Linebrink and Octavio Dotel have made little impact on the prognosticators, who overwhelmingly view the White Sox as a third- or fourth-place team.

Sox general manager Kenny Williams has been asked about the forecast all spring. Now, he can sit back and let his assembled talent try to get the job done.

"The reason I look forward to Opening Day more than anyone is because all the things, the questions that have been thrown my way, and the manager has had thrown his way, that's when the players can answer them," Williams said. "In a nutshell, I look forward to the answers given to us on the field."

After starting five straight season openers for the White Sox, Mark Buehrle had that streak interrupted last year. The left-hander is back on the mound today, and he will match up against Cleveland ace C.C. Sabathia.

Buehrle was the Sox' best pitcher in spring training, going 1-0 with a 2.14 ERA.

"I got my pitch count up and innings … that's what I'm down here for," Buehrle said after his final Cactus League start. "Results? Obviously it's good to throw zeros and give your team a chance to win, but spring training doesn't matter as much."

Today matters, and the White Sox have to come ready to play as they open the season with 12 straight division games against the Indians, Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins.

"We'd like to go out there and get the first one, but I don't think the season is going to be ruined if we lose," Buehrle said. "It's just like I don't think we're going to the playoffs if we win the first game.

"But we have to play well early; we can't let ourselves get too far behind. Sometimes you can start slow and come back, but there are too many good teams in this division to do that this year."

White Sox lineup

(Stats from 2007)

1. Nick Swisher, LF (.262, 22 HR, 78 RBI)

2. Orlando Cabrera, SS (.301, 8 HR, 86 RBI)

3. Jim Thome, DH (.275, 35 HR, 96 RBI)

4. Paul Konerko, 1B (.259, 31 HR, 90 RBI)

5. Jermaine Dye, RF (.254, 28 HR, 78 RBI)

6. A.J. Pierzynski, C (.263, 14 HR, 50 RBI)

7. Alexei Ramirez, CF (.335, 20 HR, 68 RBI in Cuba)

8. Joe Crede, 3B (.216, 4 HR, 22 RBI)

9. Juan Uribe, 2B (.234, 20 HR, 68 RBI)

Scouting report

White Sox vs. Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field

TV: Comcast SportsNet today and Thursday; Channel 26 Wednesday

Radio: WSCR 670-AM

Pitching matchups: The White Sox' Mark Buehrle (10-9, 3.63 ERA in 2007) vs. C.C. Sabathia (19-7, 3.21) today at 2:05 p.m.; Javier Vazquez (15-8, 3.74) vs. Fausto Carmona (19-8, 3.06) Wednesday at 6:05 p.m.; John Danks (6-13, 5.50) vs. Jake Westbrook (6-9, 4.32) Thursday at 11:05 p.m.

At a glance: This is the White Sox' fourth straight opening-day game against the Indians. They won in 2005-06 before being blown out 12-5 last year. The Sox were 7-11 vs. Cleveland last season (4-5 on the road); Buehrle was 1-1 with a 4.82 ERA. The left-hander has a lifetime 8-11 record against the Indians. Sox DH Jim Thome is a career 0-for-11 (7 strikeouts) against Sabathia. Jermaine Dye has 8 home runs and 11 RBI in 35 at-bats against the big left-hander.

Next: The White Sox play the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park, Friday-Sunday.