2005 MLB Playoff's: Sox's vs. Sox's in Chi-Town

Call it a series of second chances.

For the White Sox, the American League Division Series presents another opportunity to prove they are worthy after winning their first AL Central title in five years.

It's also another chance for Game 1 starter Jose Contreras to prove he's the big-game pitcher the New York Yankees once envisioned.

And for Boston, it's an opportunity to begin defense of its World Series title.

"It's an interesting series," White Sox general manager Ken Williams said during his club's workout Monday morning at U.S. Cellular Field.

"Basically what it boils down to is our strength of pitching vs. their strength of hitting. What we set out to do from the start is put a team together that took good care of business on the mound. I figured if we did that and played well defensively and hustled our tails off, we'd be in this position and have a chance.

"I feel good about our chances. How it all unfolds, we'll find out together."

By winning the 2004 World Series, Boston did something it hadn't done since 1918. The White Sox haven't won since 1917. And one more home playoff loss would be the White Sox's 10th in a row, tying the Phillies for the major-league record.

But White Sox officials and players want no part of that. They point to their ability to finish with a five-game winning streak after withstanding a furious surge by Cleveland that cut their lead from 15 games to 1� with 10 games left.