Sox, Rays surprise many

Before the season started, the White Sox were picked to finish either third or fourth in the AL Central.

Tampa Bay? Try last - again - in the AL East.

"That's the funny thing about it," manager Ozzie Guillen said before the Sox and Rays opened a three-game series Friday night at U.S. Cellular Field. "We have so many people making so much money predicting stuff. All of a sudden, the only thing they can say is: 'I'm sorry, I was wrong,' and they still make a lot of money.

"I think it's great for baseball that we are where we are. Hopefully, we kick their butts the next three days, but they deserve to be noticed."

The White Sox and Tampa Bay entered the series leading their respective divisions.

Guillen deserves Manager of the Year consideration for getting the Sox turned around, but Rays skipper Joe Maddon is positioned to win the award in a landslide.

"I don't care about manager of the year," Guillen said. "I don't. I just care about having a ring on my finger. My manager of the year trophy (from 2005), I appreciate it, I love it, it's a nice thing to have in my house. But I think the players won that award. A lot of good managers have won manager of the year, but a lot of real bad managers won manager of the year, too.

"I think this guy (Maddon), what he's done, what he's been doing, I think he shouldn't have any competition."

Waiting game: The Sox still aren't sure what to do with center fielder Dewayne Wise, who came out of Wednesday's game against Seattle with a strained left adductor.

If Wise goes on the disabled list, the White Sox can either recall center fielder Jerry Owens from Class AAA Charlotte or bring up another relief pitcher.

Slow go: In his fourth game with Class AAA Charlotte on Friday night, third baseman Joe Crede was 0-for-4.

On the disabled list since July 22 with a sore back, Crede is a combined 0-for-12 on his rehab assignment with Charlotte.

Rest in peace: Before Friday's game, the White Sox mourned the passing of Andy Lock, a camera technician with the organization since 1990.

"Andy Cam," 52, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 52.