The Jake Less Taken – Lineups 7/6

Momentum is only as good as your next day’s starter. After sweeping the Rangers out of The Cell the White Sox bring Jake Peavy to the mound to face off against Aaron Laffey. It seems like momentum is in their favor. Between not getting chosen for the All-Star team via final vote, and a streak of missing run support that is reaching epic proportions, Peavy likely has a little chip on his shoulder. He wants a W and he wants it now!

The Blue Jays have handled the White Sox with ease for years. Be it at Rogers Center or U.S. Cellular, it has not been easy going for the Southsiders. They possess such confidence in the matter that Aaron Laffey is being sent to represent Canada’s only baseball team in a Friday night matchup. Laffey, who has been in the rotation for just over a week due to multiple Toronto injuries, has been surprisingly effective in his 2 starts. In 12 innings he’s let 2 runs in, but has gotten a couple of no decisions for his effort as the Jays ultimately dropped both games. Something to focus on is his strikeout rate, which isn’t hefty. When it’s 100+ degrees out, as it is in Chicago today, a guy that lets the ball into play is likely to be asking for a new baseball a good deal of the time.

Tonight’s Lineup:

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

Win streaks feel good. When a win streak starts over the course of one series, it feels even better: everyone loves a sweep. But when a win streak spreads throughout many different series, that’s when fans can get extra excited. Cruising into the All-Star break with a 6 game streak would force many doubters waiting for the White Sox to fall off to go ahead and accept that a serious contender exists in the American League Central. Maybe Youkilis can keep his home field showings strong and give Peavy the run support he needs to finally get another victory.