Sports: Up next: White Sox

Up next: White Sox

By KEVIN KELLY

8:05 tonight,7:05 Saturday, 2:05 Sunday, 2:05 Monday

THE PAST WEEK: Trying to make up ground in the wild-card race, the White Sox were 3-4 against Cleveland, Boston and Kansas City before Thursday. The four losses were deceiving, however, as Chicago dropped two games by one run and another by two runs.

SCOUTING REPORT: Hampered by season-ending injuries to first baseman Frank Thomas and pitcher David Wells, the White Sox have managed to stay competitive in a tough AL Central that features the surging Indians and fading Twins. Chicago has some pop in the lineup with Magglio Ordonez, Jose Canseco, Paul Konerko and Chris Singleton but boasts only one player with a batting average over .300. The pitching staff has been a surprise but took a hit when James Baldwin was shipped to the Dodgers last week.

ALL-TIME SERIES: This has been relatively even in three previous seasons. The White Sox hold a 17-14 advantage overall and are 8-7 at Comiskey Park. The four games this weekend mark the first time the clubs have met this season.

TAMPA BAY CONNECTIONS: Chicago third basemen Herbert Perry and Tony Graffanino and designated hitter Canseco are former Rays. Perry, who's hitting .270 with four homers and 23 RBI, was claimed off waivers last season. Graffanino, batting .253 with two homers and six RBI, was traded to the White Sox for Tanyon Sturtze after being sent to the minors. Canseco signed with Chicago last month and is batting .292 with eight home runs and 20 RBI. ... Rays pitching coach Bill Fischer pitched for the White Sox from 1956-58 and had a 9-11 record. As a rookie, he allowed just one home run in 124 innings. ... Sturtze appeared in 11 games with the White Sox in 1999 and 2000, going 1-2 with a 12.06 ERA last season.

WHO'S HOT: Ordonez, who needed one home run for 100 in his career before Thursday, is batting .419 with seven doubles in his past eight games. He had a seven-game hitting streak broken Wednesday against the Royals.

WHO'S NOT: SS Jose Valentin is 8-for-41 (.195) in his past 13 games and 16-for-75 (.213) since returning from the disabled list on June 24.

- Compiled by Kevin Kelly.