Game Notes For Friday
*The White Sox-Cubs interleague rivalry has been close and heated with the Sox leading 25-23 since interleague games started in 1997. Both teams have won 7 one-run games. The Sox lead in total runs 228-227 and have outhomered the Cubs 64-60 in those games.
*Greg Maddux has had the most success of any starting pitcher in interleague play with 35 starts (tied with Mike Mussina for the MLB lead). He leads the majors with 19 IL wins and 234.1 innings logged.
*Maddux' opponent, Mark Buehrle, has been very formidable at U.S. Cellular Field, going 41-18 there since 2002. Buehrle is 5-0 in his last 8 interleague starts since beating the Cubs on June 21, 2003.
*The Cubs are only 3-7 vs. left-handed starters this year and have hit only .162 off them since Derrek Lee went down.
*Michael Barrett hit 4 HRs with 18 RBIs in the first three weeks of the season but since April 21, Barrett has only 1 HR and 1 RBI.
*Jim Thome's 46 HRs are the most in the history of interleague play.
*Once again this year, the White Sox are winning the close games. They led baseball last year going 61-34 in games decided by 1 or 2 runs. This year, they are tied for 3rd in MLB at 11-5.