Third to first

• The White Sox defense has shown signs of improvement since putting in extra pregame work prior to a May 14 contest in Minneapolis. That's a welcome sight for Ventura, who knows it's hard to win a division without solid defense.

"It's close to impossible. We've already proven that," Ventura said. "We have to play good defense to be able to compete and if the offense does what you think it's going to do, we should be in it."

• There was no White Sox confirmation Friday that Rule 5 selection Angel Sanchez had been placed on waivers, as reported Thursday by Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. The utility infielder is on a Minor League rehab assignment for Triple-A Charlotte, but he has not played the last two games.

• Hahn showed a bit of good humor when music started blaring during his pregame interview session Friday.

"I always wanted my interview to have a soundtrack," Hahn said.

• Jose Quintana, Sale, John Danks and Jake Peavy are the scheduled starters for the four games against the Cubs next week, with the first two being played at U.S. Cellular Field.