Crosstown Showdown Preview

Last year, I took a look at the history of the Cubs VS White Sox match-up. Click here to check out that post. In 2010, the Sox took four of the six meetings to extend their all time series lead to 41-37. Last year's series will be remembered for a near Ted Lilly no-hitter (broken up by former Cub Juan Pierre), the Blackhawks bringing the Stanley Cup to Wrigley and for Carlos Zambrano's meltdown that earned him time away from the team.

Here is a look at the six game slate for this year.
June 20-22 @ U.S. Cellular Field
Game 1- Tonight at 7:10 Carlos Zambrano VS Gavin Floyd
Game 2- Tuesday at 7:10 Matt Garza VS Mark Buehrle
Game 3- Wednesday at 7:10 Doug Davis VS Jake Peavy
July 1-3 @ Wrigley Field
Game 1- Friday July 1 at 1:20
Game 2- Saturday July 2 at 3:10 FOX-TV
Game 3- Sunday July 3 at 1:20

All of the games, besides the one broadcast on FOX will be on Comcast Sports Net with either Cubs or White Sox announcers. The other club's broadcast team will do the game on either WGN or WCIU. All six games will be on both 670 The Score and WGN-720.

Here are some links and notes as we preview the Crosstown Classic.

• The Daily Herald's Mike Spellman lists some of the reasons to care about this series.


• Mike Quade is looking forward to the City Series.


• Phil Rogers writes that the Crosstown Series is still worth watching, despite the location of both teams in the standings.


• Carlos Zambrano will be in the spotlight tonight when he takes the mound for game one.


• Joe Cowley of the Sun-Times reports that the Cubs have a lot at stake in this series because "this is their playoffs."


• Carrie Muskat takes a look at the Cubs career leaders against the South Siders.


• Game coverage starts with Chicago Tribune Live from U.S. Cellular Field tonight at 5:00 on CSN Chicago.

That's it for now and remember...

"I don't care who wins as long as it's the Cubs!"