Major League Baseball

New season has familiar feel for White Sox

Published Apr. 5, 2010 8:51 a.m. ET

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The large sign outside proudly declares U.S. Cellular Field the ``Home of the 2005 World Series Champions,'' a black and white reminder to drivers on the expressway of that drought-ending run.

It also drives home how much time has already passed.

Then again, five years is a far cry from 87, and the Chicago White Sox believe the gap between this team and that one isn't so wide.

With a pitching staff to rival the 2005 team's and a more flexible and faster lineup this season, the White Sox are looking to get back to the playoffs after going from division champions to third in the AL Central last season at 79-83.

The Indians, meanwhile, are trying to pick themselves up after a 65-win season in which they traded away Cy Young winner Cliff Lee and All-Star catcher Victor Martinez in July and ultimately fired manager Eric Wedge.

And both teams are trying to wash out a bitter taste.

For the White Sox, that means going back to the style that propelled the 2005 team, with an emphasis on pitching, defense and the ability to manufacture runs. It means Guillen gets a chance to be more creative with his lineup and with his decisions during the game.

He sees more balance, more speed, less emphasis on the long ball and a defense that can take some pressure off the pitchers. And he sees fewer question marks than the 2005 team.

``That's why I feel a lot better with this ballclub - because of the talent,'' he said. ``A lot of people are going to talk about how many home runs are you going to hit, why you don't have power. A lot of people have different opinions and I respect that. ... I'd rather have six guys in the lineup with 20, 30 home runs than two guys with 50 because I think we get more production.''

So he's not too concerned about a lack of power now that Jim Thome and Jermaine Dye are gone.

Instead, he's confident that Andruw Jones can rediscover some of the form that made him an All-Star and Gold Glove center fielder for Atlanta and re-emerge after three rough seasons with the Braves, Dodgers and Rangers. He's now part of the DH committee and could play an important role in the outfield while adding depth to the bench, but he's also one of several question marks surrounding the White Sox.

Can Carlos Quentin stay healthy after hitting .236 with 21 homers while battling a foot injury? Can Alex Rios rediscover the swing he left in Toronto after the White Sox claimed him off waivers in August?

Can young star Gordon Beckham adjust again to a new position - second base - after switching from shortstop to third as a rookie last season?

And what about Jake Peavy's health? The 2007 NL Cy Young winner says he's fine after a right ankle tendon injury limited him to 16 starts with San Diego and the White Sox, and three impressive outings for Chicago late last season should have eased any concerns about his health and his ability to shut down American League hitters.

With a healthy Peavy and Mark Buehrle to go with Gavin Floyd, John Danks and Freddy Garcia, the White Sox could have their best rotation since the championship season.

``I think it can rank right there,'' Buehrle said. ``We haven't done anything yet.''

Buehrle will set a club record by starting his eighth opener, although he shrugged it off as just ``another Opening Day start.''

For the Indians' Jake Westbrook, it's more than that. It's his first appearance in nearly two years after a long recovery from Tommy John elbow surgery.

``I'm already starting to try to calm myself down,'' he said.

The nerves are from excitement, not apprehension. Westbrook insisted he's fine and can't wait to take the mound.

``My goal is to go out there and get back to being that guy who they can count on every fifth day getting deep in ballgames,'' he said. ``That's what I want to get back to.''

The Indians, meanwhile, at least want to get back to respectability after a nightmarish season - something they realize few observers are picking them to do. It would help if Fausto Carmona, a 19-game winner in 2007, could fix his mental and mechanical issues and solidify a shaky rotation. There are also issues in the bullpen, with closer Kerry Wood likely missing the first few weeks with a strained back muscle, but a lineup with Grady Sizemore and Shin Soo-Choo figures to be productive.

``The prediction game - it's fun for everybody,'' said manager Manny Acta, who was hired in October. ``The majority of the time, people are wrong. Baseball has shown that over the years.''

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