NOTEBOOK | Indians vs. White Sox

Lineup controversy: A day after clinching the American League Central -- and hinting that he would put his best team on the field for this weekend's series against the Indians -- White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen used a lineup with just two regulars, three backups and four September call-ups from the minor leagues for Friday's game. When asked why, he said, "Because I'm the manager. A couple guys needed rest and they're going to get rest." Left fielder Scott Podsednik and third baseman Joe Crede were the only regulars. Starting pitcher Mark Buehrle took his regular spot in the rotation but was pulled after 62/3 innings, having thrown 88 pitches. When asked about Chicago's lineup before the game, Indians manager Eric Wedge wasn't sure what to think. "I don't know if it's an advantage or a disadvantage," he said. "Obviously, the guys who are playing are hungry to play and fired up to play. We'll see how it plays out."
As for the Indians: Wedge said he wouldn't make any changes to the lineup for the first two games of the series -- "We're not going to do anything different from what got us here," he said -- but Sunday could be a different matter. If Cleveland is still in contention for the wild card, Wedge may choose to use one or more of his starters out of the bullpen should the need arise. "It's a possibility," he said. "We'll see where we're at on Sunday."
Calm demeanor: When Wedge took over as Indians manager before the 2003 season, he had a reputation for being a fiery leader. He hasn't shown much of that side in his three years with the Tribe, but he said it's still there. "I'm fiery; I'm just not fiery with you guys," Wedge told reporters. "You have to pick your spots. Just because everyone doesn't see it, doesn't mean it's not there. It's not necessary for everyone to see it."
Battered man: Indians pitcher Kevin Millood suffered two minor injuries on Friday, hurting his throwing hand when he barehanded a ball back hit sharply back to the mound in the first and injuring his knee when a ball bounced off his leg in the fifth. "I'm OK," he said, "but I don't think I'll be getting any contract offers from dodgeball teams."
Only hope: Although the Indians can still finish with the same record as the White Sox, Chicago won the Central Division because they wrapped up the season series with a four-game sweep in July. Chicago is 12-5 this year against the Indians. This is the seventh postseason appearance for the White Sox, who have not won a playoff series since winning the World Series in 1917.
Sellout: Friday's game was the Tribe's fourth sellout of the season. The final two games in the series are also sold out.
Up next: Tribe pitcher Jake Westbrook (15-14, 4.46) is scheduled to face Jon Garland (17-10, 3.53) at 1:25 p.m. today and Scott Elarton (11-8, 4.51) will face Brandon McCarthy (2-2, 4.21) at 1:05 p.m. on Sunday.
Joe Scalzo