One of Chris Sale's top performances among his four All-Star seasons as a starter came on May 28, 2012, at Tropicana Field, when the southpaw fanned 15 batters and walked two during a 2-1 victory over the Rays.
Sale hopes to duplicate that effort again Friday, when the White Sox open a three-game weekend set in Florida on Jackie Robinson Day. Tampa Bay starter Jake Odorizzi isn't worried as much about Sale, as he is about focusing on the White Sox lineup.
"I've done well on my own going against the other pitcher," Odorizzi said. "I think they're 0-for against me and I'm 0-for against them the last time I checked.
"It doesn't really matter to me. I just have to go out there and do my best, keep matching what the other guy is doing."
The White Sox kept Sale on regular rest, despite Sunday's postponement at home against the Indians and Tuesday's scheduled off-day in Minneapolis, which stands as the White Sox's lone off-day in April. The team is in the midst of a stretch of 19 games played in 19 days.
John Danks was moved back to Saturday, allowing Sale to make the Game 1 start.
Odorizzi lost his only career appearance against the White Sox on April 28, 2014, at U.S. Cellular Field. He was unable to complete five innings, failing to protect a pair of one-run leads.
Things to know
• Logan Forsythe is 1-for-5 with a home run against Sale. Evan Longoria has struck out seven times in 14 at-bats against Sale.
• The White Sox have allowed four runs over their last four road games.
• Sale's start marks appearance No. 199 for his career.
• Friday's series opener, originally scheduled to air on CSN, has been switched to CSN+ to accommodate the Blackhawks' playoff game.
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