Crosstown Classic: Round 1 Preview

For the first time since the inception of Interleague Play, the Chicago Cubs and White Sox are atop their respective divisions. And that's only one reason the city should be on heightened alert.

Yet, when I think of Cubs-Sox, this picture comes to mind.

The Cubs (45-28) enter the series with the best record in baseball.

Let it sink in. Best. Record. In. Baseball.

The Sox (41-31) enjoy the largest lead of any division leader and come into the series white hot (pun intended) after sweeping the Pittsburgh Pirates at U.S. Cellular Field.

To the three Sox fans that read this blog, let it sink in. Largest. Lead. Of. Any. Division. Leader.

Fans of both sides should expect some excellent baseball to be played despite the fact the first round of games will be without the star presence of Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Zambrano, Paul Konerko and Mark Buehrle.

The Cubs will look to take advantage of some home cooking in the three game set. At 29-8, the Friendly Confines is finally living up to its name for the team with white jerseys with blue pinstripes, blue numbers, blue shoes and blue caps. Conversely, the Sox are 17-20 on the road. But really, who isn't below .500 on the road this year?

Game One will feature dueling lefties to start the game. John Danks (4-4) takes the hill for the South Siders and he will be opposed by Ted Lilly (7-5.)

Rebounding right-handers will toe the rubber in Game Two. Jose Contreras (6-5, 3.24) is enjoying a bounce back year, while Jason Marquis (5-3, 4.24) is 2-0 since being railed by manager Lou Piniella after being pulled in a poor outing against the San Diego Padres.

Finally, ESPN gives the Yanks and the Sawks a rest and instead will feature the Battle for Red Line Supremacy's third game. Javier Vazquez (7-5, 4.13) will oppose Ryan Dempster (8-2, 2.76) who is almost unhittable at Wrigley Field (1.11 WHIP in 58.1 IP.)

In closing, I'll leave you some of the match-ups and in the comments section you can tell me who you'd take.

Let's get interactive people!

CATCHER: Geovany Soto (.286 12 HR 48 RBI) vs. A.J. Pierzynski (.306 4 HR 26 RBI)

FIRST BASE: Derrek Lee (.283 14 HR 44 RBI) vs. Nick Swisher (.230 8 HR 27 RBI

SECOND BASE: Mark DeRosa (.296 8 HR 30 RBI) vs. Alexei Ramirez (.289 4 HR 20 RBI)

SHORTSTOP: Ryan Theriot (.309 1 HR 21 RBI) vs. Orlando Cabrera (.273 5 HR 26 RBI)

THIRD BASE: Aramis Ramirez (.295 10 HR 45 RBI) vs. Joe Crede (.284 15 HR 44 RBI)

OUTFIELD 1: Matt Murton/Micah Hoffpauir (.299 0 HR 5 RBI in 50 ABs)vs. Carlos Quentin (.270 17 HR 56 RBI)

OUTFIELD 2: Jim Edmonds/Reed Johnson (.285 5 HR 50 RBI as Cubs) vs. Brian Anderson (.247 3 HR 11 RBI in 97 ABs)

OUTFIELD 3: Kosuke Fukudome (.295 5 HR 30 RBI) vs. Jermaine Dye (.286 12 HR 32 RBI)

BULLPEN: Carlos Marmol (63 K in 43 IP) and Kerry Wood (18 SV 2.65 ERA) vs. Scott Linebrink (16 HLD 1.29 ERA) and Bobby Jenks (16 SV 1.91 ERA)

P.S. Go Cubs Go!

And to add fuel to the fire, check out this youtube video!