No doubt about it: Sox counting on Floyd, Danks
CLEVELAND -- Conventional wisdom says the White Sox' offense isn't going to score 8 runs a game, as it did in Monday's season-opening loss to the Indians.
It also says No. 1 starter Mark Buehrle isn't going to allow 7 runs in 1¿ innings, as he did against Cleveland.
While they've played only one game, the White Sox do have a handle on what they can and cannot do.
His dismal debut aside, Buehrle is a proven workhorse who has averaged 15 wins a year since 2001. No. 2 starter Javier Vazquez also has a track record of success, and so does No. 4 starter Jose Contreras.
That leaves John Danks and Gavin Floyd, two mystery men in the starting rotation who could very well be the keys to the White Sox' 2008 season.
"I think I speak for Gavin when I say we haven't done anything yet,'' Danks said. "We think the offense is going to be great, we know the bullpen is great, and we know the three veterans in the rotation are great. Gavin and I are looking at it as we have a big hole to fill for (Jon) Garland. We know we're capable of doing it, but now it's just a matter of going out there and proving it.''
Danks is the Sox' No. 3 starter despite going 6-13 with a 5.50 ERA as a rookie last season. The 22-year-old lefty was pretty good (5-6, 4.62 ERA) in the first half and pretty bad (1-7, 7.11) in the second.
"I didn't make the adjustments I needed to make,'' Danks said of the collapse. "Stuff-wise, it was still there. I think I was even throwing harder at the end of the season. But the book was out on me and I just didn't make the adjustment. This year, I plan on doing that.''
Danks watched a lot of tape during the off-season.
"I just fell into some easy patterns,'' he said. "This year, I feel a lot more comfortable, a lot more confident throwing different pitches in different situations. I feel like I can mix it up a lot better.''
Danks is optimistic because he has added a cut fastball and improved his changeup and curve.
"I never got comfortable with the cutter last season,'' Danks said. "But I threw it a lot during the off-season and in spring training, and now I feel like it's a pitch I can throw in just about any count. The changeup feels great now, and I'm getting a lot more comfortable with the curveball. I feel good about all my pitches in all counts.''
Floyd steps in as the Sox' No. 5 starter after going 1-5 with a 5.27 ERA last year.
Once the prized prospect of the Philadelphia Phillies, Floyd is still trying to live up to being selected fourth overall in the 2001 draft.
"I know there's been some talk about me and John needing to do well, but that's not how I'm looking at it,'' Floyd said. "We all have to come together as a team, play with great chemistry. And when it's my turn to start, I'm just going to focus on going out there and doing my best. You can't worry about anything else. When it's your day to pitch, you're the No. 1 starter.''