FanHouse

On Deck is FanHouse's look at the day's most intriguing baseball matchups

I've been a White Sox fan my entire life, and through my years of watching the team, I've generally always had a good feel for what kind of team they are. Usually by the time July rolls around, I know exactly what I'm dealing with. Sometimes they're a good team, but I have no expectations for them to win their division. Sometimes I think they're going to win the division, but not do anything else. Thankfully, it's a rarity that I realize the team sucks some years, and I should be happy if they get 75 wins.

Back in 2005 I was telling anyone that would listen that the Sox were going to win the World Series as early as May. Nobody believed me, nor should they have. I mean, they hadn't won a championship in 88 years at that point, so my proclamations were generally met with blank stares or a pat on the head and a "Sure they are, Tom. Sure they are."

This year, though, this year I have no idea what this team is capable of. Two weeks ago they were busy getting worked over by the Cubs at Wrigley Field, and everything that I thought was wrong with the team was apparent those three days. Now the Sox have won their last seven games (the third time they've had such a streak this season), winning their last two in dramatic walk-off fashion, and they look like world beaters.

Will they continue their dominant play of late tonight as they start a four-game series with the Oakland A's, or will they continue to confuse me? Find out after the jump.

Chicago White Sox (49-35) vs. Oakland Athletics (45-39) - 8:11PM Est.

As I've already mentioned, the White Sox have won their last seven games, but they have an even more impressive streak going at home. Tonight the Sox will not only be trying to match their season high eight-game win streak, but they'll also be trying to win their tenth straight game at U.S. Cellular Field for the first time since 2006.

They've been doing so on the strength of their offense, which has been crushing the ball all over the place at home. Tonight, though, it's not going to be so easy. White Sox batters will have to take on American League ERA leader Justin Duchscherer as he gets the start for Oakland tonight.

Duchscherer just had a four game win streak snapped in his last start, but it wasn't by any fault of his own. He only allowed a run in eight innings against the Giants last weekend, but got no support from his offense. Justin has never started against the Sox, but he is 3-1 with a 2.76 ERA in 13 relief appearances.

Javier Vazquez will start for the Sox, and he hasn't been too sharp lately. In June, Javy went 2-2 with a 7.48 ERA, and is 1-2 with a 6.60 ERA in his career against the Athletics. Though that solitary win did come against them at The Cell earlier this season.

New York Yankees (45-40) vs. Boston Red Sox (50-37) - 7:05PM Est.

Well Hank Steinbrenner came out yesterday and said that the Yankees lack of offense in 2008 has been "ridiculous," and the Bombers responded by putting 18 runs on the board against the Rangers on Wednesday night. Maybe Hank should hold a press conference this afternoon saying that 18 runs isn't enough, and that he wants to see the team score 80 this holiday weekend against the hated Red Sox.

You know Andy Pettite wouldn't mind if he did seeing as how he'll be making the start tonight. Not that Andy really needs much support at the moment, as he's gone 4-0 with a 1.00ERA in his last four starts. Tonight will be the first time Pettite has faced the BoSox in 2008, but he's more than familiar with them in his career, going 15-6 with a 3.53 ERA in 27 career starts.

The Red Sox will try to recover from being swept by the Rays down in Tampa, and they'll be looking to Jon Lester to help them out. I mean, if he can get over cancer he can end a losing streak, right? Lester is 3-0 with a 3.35 ERA in his last six starts, but he got knocked around for six runs in five innings in his last start against Houston.

Of course, the only real winner from this series will be the Rays, as they now have a chance to separate themselves further in the AL East as these two teams beat up on each other.

Arizona Diamondbacks (42-43) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (46-38) - 3:40PM Est.

Congratulations, Arizona, you now hold the distinction of being the only first place team in baseball with a losing record. You must be so proud. Sure, if you played in any other division, the best you could hope for right now would be third place, but you aren't.

No, you're in the amazing NL West, where losers are winners.

Speaking of winners, Brandon Webb will be starting for the Snakes tonight and here's to hoping he can at least get them back to .500. Brandon's tied with the Angels' Joe Saunders for the most wins in baseball (12) but he hasn't been as sharp lately. After starting the season with a 9-0 record, Brandon has gone 3-4 with a 4.07 ERA in his last eight starts. The good news for Brandon is that the Brewers have never beaten him in Arizona.

Manny Parra gets the nod for Milwaukee, and he's won his last six starts, and hasn't lost a decision since the Astros got to him on May 3rd. This afternoon will be the first time the rookie has faced the Diamondbacks.

Everybody Else

• Astros vs. Dodgers - 2:05PM
• Braves vs. Phillies - 7:00PM
• Orioles vs. Royals - 7:05PM
• Giants vs. Cubs - 7:05PM
• Reds vs. Nationals - 7:10PM
• Rockies vs. Marlins - 8:05PM
  
• Cardinals vs. Mets - 8:15PM
  
• Mariners vs. Tigers - 10:10PM