Rays up next: At White Sox

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At White Sox

Today-Sunday

What's new: The White Sox (73-53) are one of the hottest teams in the majors, having won eight of their past nine and five in a row. They've added future Hall of Famer Ken Griffey to a lineup that leads the majors with 188 homers (topped by Carlos Quentin's 35). Like the Rays, they are good at home (45-19, third in majors).

Key stat: The Sox have 14 home runs in the past four games and have outscored opponents 55-10 in the past six home games.

Connections: White Sox backup C Toby Hall and manager Ozzie Guillen are former Rays. Rays reliever Chad Bradford played for the Sox.

Series history: The Rays are 4-3 this season (all at home). Overall, the White Sox lead 49-34, 24-13 in Chicago.

Joe Smith, Times staff writer