MLB.com used the time with Wedge to discuss that rivalry, which kicks off again with Sunday night's Opening Day game between the two clubs, as well as the season that lies ahead.

MLB.com: Those were some heated games against the White Sox last season. What did you take away from them?

Wedge: That's what you work for. You work to be in a position like that. Obviously, we didn't like the outcome (the Indians went 5-14 in the 19 meetings), but we're a better team for it today. Much like last year, when we were a better team for everything we went through in '04.

MLB.com: What does it mean to open up against the White Sox, given the games you guys played against each other last season?

Wedge: You wouldn't want it any other way. You want to open up with the defending world champions, you want to face your rival in your division, and you want to do it right away. Let's get on with it.

MLB.com: Will this be a good, early litmus test for your club?

Wedge: It's still one game. One series. But every game counts.

MLB.com: Is it good to have a rivalry that's a little bit more intense?

Wedge: I don't look at it as more of an intense rivalry. Depending on the year or the situation, people talk about different rivalries. When we play Detroit, they talk about that as a rivalry, because of the proximity. When we play Minnesota, they talk about that being a rivalry. There was no talk of a rivalry (with the White Sox) before this year. But with them winning the World Series and the battles we had, that's how it works. But I look at every team in our division as a rival.

MLB.com: With the moves the White Sox made, a lot of people look at them as being improved on paper. With the moves you guys made, a lot of people see your improvements as coming more internally, which is something we've talked about many times. Do you feel your team is improved enough to get over the hump against Chicago?

Wedge: Oh yeah. I feel like we're a better team right now. I don't put a lot of stock in people saying they got better on paper. That doesn't mean much to me. It's what translates on the field and how it plays out that matters. We're better than we were at this time last year, and I hope we're better at the end of the season than we were at the beginning of the season. It's all about improvement.

MLB.com: What was it like for you, watching the playoffs and the World Series, and knowing the White Sox were a division rival that you matched up against in some pretty close games last season?

Battle for the Division Titles
• American League: East  |  Central  |  West
• National League:   East  |  Central  |  West

Wedge: I knew that if we got in the playoffs last year, we had as good a chance as anybody, just because of the way these guys play. It didn't surprise me that Chicago won the World Series. I don't think anybody expected them to blow through it the way they did, but they got on a roll and they ran with it.

MLB.com: Obviously, they're in a whole different market, financially. But that's a team you can identify with, just because you play them so much. Did you or did the guys look at them as an example of what a team from this division can accomplish?

Wedge: We don't compare ourselves to anybody. We compare ourselves to ourselves. We compete to get better. We don't work off any team. I look at our guys out there and the way they play. That's what separates them. That, and their ability and the way they take care of each other.

MLB.com: What have been your key accomplishments in camp?

Wedge: The players have really done a good job of focusing on the things they need to focus on -- the situational play and some of the intangibles of the game in terms of mindset and focus. They've done a good job of that, and we're seeing it play into games. And it's different. It's more relaxed. These guys have a good feel for what's coming around the corner.

MLB.com: Were all the one-run losses, particularly against the White Sox, what spurred everything we're seeing this year in Spring Training, as far as the focus on situational hitting and defending the running game?

Wedge: No, people can't have it both ways. People have been saying for years that the biggest factor in one-run games is luck or circumstance. Just because we were on the south side of a number of them last year, they can't change their story and say it's something else.

If we're going to work to get better situationally, it's because we need to get better situationally. That's the type of team we are. We want to make sure we're strong in all areas of our game. If we have an area next year, we'll be sitting here and there might be a couple different areas we're working on. Quite frankly, I'd rather win 93 games and lose 36 one-run games than lose 36 games by five runs, you know?

MLB.com: Speaking of the 93 wins, do you make predictions or set goals for the coming season?

Wedge: No. Our focus is to work to win this division. That's our focus. I don't talk about how many games we're going to win or this or that or the other. It's about being prepared today and being the best we can be today and preparing for tomorrow.