White Sox players like Ventura’s approach
When something needs to be said, White Sox manager Robin Ventura prefers talking to his players on an individual basis.
“He comes up and talks to us all the time,” said rookie relief pitcher Nate Jones. “He tells us not to worry about what’s around us and what Detroit’s doing.
“He tells us to go out there and do our job. He just makes sure we are concentrating on what we need to do and not worrying about anything else.”
Ventura doesn’t like calling team meetings, even when the playoff race has elevated the pressure on the Sox.
Adam Dunn said a team meeting is not necessary.
“If you need to be told what to do or you need a pep talk right now, then you might as well walk out that door and ‘See ya,’” Dunn said. “This is what you worked all season for. This is where you wanted to be at this time.
“Obviously, you’d rather be, I don’t know if we’re up or down, I don’t know where we are, and I don’t care.
“If we play well, the cards will fall where they may. We’ve just got to play better these seven games, for sure.”
Sunday starter:Manager Robin Ventura said he#146;s still not sure about who is going to start for the White Sox on Sunday against Tampa Bay ace David Price.Francisco Liriano is an option, but pitching coach Don Cooper told The Score#146;s Chris Rongey the Sox are leaning toward Jose Quintana.In his last start, against the Los Angeles Angels on Sept. 22, Quintana looked tired while allowing 4 runs on 6 hits and 5 walks in 5 innings.The rookie left-hander is 2-4 with a 4.80 ERA in the second half of the season. Quintana was 4-1 with a 2.04 ERA in the first half.Scherzer hurting:The Tigers scratched Max Scherzer from Friday night#146;s scheduled start at Minnesota. Scherzer has a strained muscle in his throwing (right) shoulder that forced him to leave a Sept. 18 start against Oakland and miss his next outing.Since May 20, he is 14-4 with a 3.11 ERA.Rookie left-hander Drew Smyly (4-3, 4.24 ERA) is going to start for Detroit in Scherzer#146;s place.Danks update:Injured White Sox starter John Danks said doctors have told him he can start throwing Nov. 1. Danks had season-ending shoulder surgery Aug. 5 after going 3-4 with a 5.70 ERA.#147;I talked to (the doctor) on Wednesday,#148; Danks said. #147;He is very pleased with where I am at in my rehab. He said I am at or ahead of pace, and he anticipates me picking up a baseball Nov. 1.#148;With the Sox#146; pitching staff running on fumes, it has been difficult for Danks to watch from the dugout. But news that he can start throwing in just more than a month was welcome.#147;I am in good spirits for a change,#148; Danks said. #147;I expected it to be mid to late November at first. Things have progressed nicely, and the work has helped me get to this point.#148;Sick bay:TV broadcaster Ken #147;Hawk#148; Harrelson missed Thursday#146;s game because of the flu. Former White Sox outfielder Mike Huff filled in.