Opening Night Notes

[Chisox73]

Here are some tidbits for tonight's opener;

Mark Buehrle makes his 5th consecutive Opening Day start.He joins Wilbur Wood(1972-76) as the only pitchers to start 5 straight Openers.

This marks the 1st time since 1941-42 that the sox have opened the season at home.They previously went 14 straight seasons openbing on the road until last season's 1-0 win against Cleveland on Opening Day.

The Sox and Indians are meeting on Opening Day for the 25th time.Cleveland is 13-11 in these games,with the Sox taking the last 4.The Sox went 14-5 against Cleveland last season.

As of today,the White Sox have sold 2.2 million tickets.Just 200,000 tickets fewer than last year's total attendance.

Scott Podsednik will start in left field tonight after sitting out the last week from a strained groin.

The Sox went 52-22 against AL Central foes in 2005.Thier .703 winning percentage was thier best ever against division opponents since divisional play began in 1969.

[Chisox73]

The Sox were 61-34 in games decided by 2 runs or less,and was 35-19 in 1-run games.They are 41-15 in 1-run games at home since 2004.

They were 15-34 when scoring 2 runs or less last season.That is the best record in such games since the 1969 New York Mets went 20-34.

Jermaine Dye is hitting .313 lifetime vs. CC Sabathia with 2 HRs and 6 RBIs.

[Mariano_Rivera]

Lets play ball

[Chisox73]

We're ready.:gt

[Ytown Tribe fan]

Thome sure looks "slimmer"

I'm happy that your rent-a-slugger hit one out against his old team.

Why?

Because,

A) he won't last,

B) it's not good for Tribe fans to get their hopes up early, and

C) he puts the Chi Sox one step closer to being the Yanks/Red Sox-style plutocrats.