The second city in the six-game road trip to the West Coast stops off in Oakland. It used to be that when the White Sox went West, we knew bad things were about to happen.

Not anymore. The Sox have proven of late that they can win games in Seattle, Oakland and Anaheim. So far on the trip has been great with the Sox taking all three from the Mariners. Now, they head to Oakland and here is what to know about that series beginning tonight:

2012 Record: White Sox 9-6, 2nd in AL Central. Oakland 8-9, 2nd in AL West

2011 Series Record: 6-4

All-time Series Record: 267-287 (The Sox are 127-150 in Oakland)

The following pitchers are expected to start in three games: » Continue reading “Visiting the 510: Series Preview White Sox @ Athletics”

That is a sentiment shared by many fans of the Athletics.

Last Thursday as the team arrived in Chicago to face the White Sox to start a four-game series, Billy Beane fired then-manger Bob Geren. Bob Melvin – who last managed the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2009 – was named as interim manager

After infield drills, A's players sign autographs

The news of Geren’s firing wasn’t too surprising for those who follow the A’s and since I was going to be at these games, I decided to seek out some A’s fans and see what they thought about what had happened with Geren and what was happening with the team in general.

Friday night, I found four fans who were from Oakland to see the team play and to also enjoy 70′s night.

What I learned from the fans was mostly unsurprising, though one fan did drop something VERY interesting in the conversation.

» Continue reading “What Say Athletics Fans? It’s About Time”

We meet again. The A’s make their way back to town for the final time this season. As things stand now, the Sox could make a big push to capitalize with the A’s back.

2011 Records: White Sox: (30-34; 3rd in AL Central) Athletics: (27-36; 4th in AL West) Season series 3-3

2010 Season Series record: 4-5

All-time White Sox record against the Athletics: 264-286 (The White Sox are 135-135 at home against the A’s)

The following pitchers are expected in the series:

Mark Buehrle: 5-4, 3.95 ERA, 39K v. Trevor Cahill: 6-3, 2.65 ERA, 66K

Edwin Jackson: 4-5, 4.50 ERA, 64K v. Graham Godfrey: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 0K

John Danks: 1-8, 4.75 ERA, 52K v. Gio Gonzalez: 5-4, 2.62 ERA,70K

Phil Humber: 5-3, 2.87 ERA, 43K v. Guillermo Moscoso: 2-2, 3.32 ERA, 9K

Thursday and Friday’s games start at 7:10 pm, Saturday’s game begins at 6:10 pm and Sunday’s game begins at 1:10 pm. All times CDT.  » Continue reading “Series Preview: White Sox v Athletics”

The White Sox faced the A’s on Tuesday night, hoping for a better result than they had on Monday. They needed extras again, but this time the Sox pulled it off, topping the A’s 6-5 in ten innings.

White Sox starter Edwin Jackson had a rough outing. Lasting only 4.2 innings, Jackson gave up seven hits and three runs, all earned. He only struck out four, and he walked two.

Will Ohman came on and got the last out without allowing a hit. Tony Pena came on in the sixth and blew the 4-3 lead the Sox had at the time, giving up four hits, including a two-run home run by Kevin Kouzmanoff.

Those would be the last runs the A’s score, as Sergio Santos and Chris Sale shut down the A’s for the last four innings. Santos didn’t allow a hit in two innings and struck out four. Sale allowed a hit, walked one, and struck out two in two innings.
» Continue reading “Alexei Blasts A’s”

In the second series of the first homestand of the year, the White Sox (tied for 2nd in the AL Central) will host the Oakland Athletics (3rd in the AL West). It is a 3 game series before the White Sox get an off day.

2011 Records: White Sox: (6-3) Athletics: (4-5) Season series 0-0

2010 Season Series record: 4-5

All-time White Sox record against the Athletics: 261-283 (The White Sox are 134-133 at the Cell against the A’s)

In the three games, the following pitchers are expected to start for each team:

Mark Buehrle: 1-0, 7.36 ERA, 2K v. Dallas Braden: 0-1, 6.43 ERA, 3K

Edwin Jackson: 2-0, 1.93 ERA, 20K v. Trevor Cahill: 1-0, 1.42 ERA, 15K

John Danks: 0-1, 4.50 ERA, 13K v. Brett Anderson: 0-1, 1.93 ERA, 10K

Games will be at 7:10 pm CT Monday, 7:10 pm CT Tuesday, 1:10 pm CT Wednesday afternoon. » Continue reading “Series Preview: White Sox v Athletics”