Sox Open Their Doors to the AL Champs – Lineups 7/3

Is it just me or does it seem like the Sox last played weeks ago? Sometimes an off day is a very long time. Tonight the Sox not only return to the field but return to their home field in order to host the Texas Rangers. Roy Oswalt, the latest pitching addition to the Rangers will be on the mound. Last time he faced the White Sox they put a big crooked number in the 5th on Roy to enable the game to go extra innings. Not sure I remember what happened after that…

Oswalt has only had two starts for Texas this season, getting a late start to his year. His debut went well enough against the Rockies, he only allowed 1 run over 6.2 innings, but the next start against the Tigers resulted in 6 runs over 6 innings. Chris Sale hasn’t typically needed too much run support to get the team wins, that’s why he leads the league in ERA. The Rangers lineup isn’t your typical 1 through 9, though. They boast a slew of hard hitters with the middle of the lineup reading like potential HR Derby candidates, and even have some high value folks sitting on the bench, like former Alexei Ramirez and Dayan Viciedo countryman, Leonys Martin. They are the AL Champs for a reason, and they didn’t receive those 50 wins as a goodwill gift.

Tonight’s Lineup:

1.De Aza – CF
2.Youk – 3B
3.Big Donkey – DH
4.Paulie – 1B
5.Rios – RF
6.AJ – C
7.Dayan – LF
8.Alexei – SS
9.Gordo – 2B

This will be the first time that Kevin Youkilis plays in Chicago as a member of the home team. He seems to be pretty buddy/buddy with Adam Dunn so I assume he knows how we can be, and I’m sure he’s looking to get on everyone’s good side and make an impression.