THREE UP
UP
DERREK LEE: He’s back from a broken wrist and his presence, in the lineup and in the clubhouse, can’t be measured. While he isn’t yet 100 percent offensively, Lee adds a very real legitimacy to a team going in the wrong direction.
UP
WHITE SOX: They are on a mighty roll, especially since they started playing the National League Central. They swept Cincinnati and St. Louis, then won two of three against Houston and Pittsburgh. Watch out, Cubs.
UP
MICHAEL BARRETT: He’s also back after sitting out 10 games on suspension for slugging A.J. Pierzynski in the first City Series at U.S. Cellular Field. Just in time for a rematch? Probably not, but Barrett’s bat is an important addition at just the right time.
THREE DOWN
DOWN
JIM THOME: The American League home run leader probably will play only one game at DH-less Wrigley Field. If he plays first base, Paul Konerko sits, and having one of them out leaves a huge hole in the middle of the White Sox lineup.
DOWN
DUSTY BAKER: The Cubs manager suddenly has “beleaguered” attached to his name. He has no clear vote of confidence from management, and fans are becoming restless as Baker limps through the final season of his contract. Can he survive? It’s a weekly guessing game.
DOWN
CUBS: Can it get much worse? They are stuck in reverse with the “drive” gear apparently broken. Their season is going nowhere fast. They won one of three games against the Sox the first time, and winning at least two sure would go a long way toward making their season. But . . .
