It’s bragging rights and then some on the line this year as the Cubs and White Sox get set for the first of two meetings. For the first time since the annual series began in 1998, both the North and South siders take first-place records into the Windy City Series. The White Sox boast one of the strongest pitching staffs in the American League, but the Cubs are 29-8 at Wrigley Field, the site for the first three-game series. The Sox have the best run differential in the AL at +77, but the Cubs are even better at +106.

So which Chicago team has the edge this time around? Let’s break it down.

First base

White Sox

With Paul Konerko on the disabled list, Jim Thome will get some playing time at first base. Neither Thome nor Konerko have done particularly well this season, but Thome has 14 home runs and a .367 OBP versus the Cubs the last three years. Nick Swisher will see time as well if Thome isn’t up to the task.

Cubs

Like his Southside counterpart, Derrek Lee isn’t having his best season, batting nearly 20 points lower than his career OBP at .347. But Lee has shown much more power, slugging at .500 and knocking in 44 runs. And his glove work still ranks within the league’s best.

Advantage: Cubs.

Second base

White Sox

Juan Uribe and Alex Ramirez have split time at second base, with the latter getting most of the recent starts. Ramirez has shown potential at the plate, but also a lack of patience – just six walks in 49 games. The two have a combined .250 batting average, 33 runs and 43 RBIs.

Cubs

There’s no denying DeRosa has made his greatest impact at second base. The veteran has put up a .384 on-base percentage and is fifth on the team in runs and RBIs, despite being at the bottom of the lineup.

Advantage: Cubs

Shortstop

White Sox

Orlando Cabrera bounced back from his dismal debut by going on a tear in June. Since the start of the month, Cabrera has posted a .401 OBP and has nearly doubled his RBI total from 14 to 26. He comes in as one of the team’s hottest hitters, with two home runs and a .404 batting average in his last six games.

Cubs

After a disappointing finish in 2007, Ryan Theriot proved he deserved the everyday job. Though his defense is average, his ability to get on base (.389 OBP) and get into scoring position (13 steals, 11 doubles) has led to good run production (42 runs). But he’s had a less-than stellar June that may be worrisome for another second half decline.

Advantage: Push

Third base

White Sox

With pressure coming from Josh Fields, Joe Crede entered the season as trade bait. He’s second on the team only to Carlos Quentin in OBP, home runs and RBIs.

Cubs

Aramis Ramirez has been the Cubs most consistent power hitter, and, with strong hitters behind him, he’s scoring a lot too. He leads the team in RBIs and runs and his OBP is tops on the team and sixth in the majors.

Advantage: Cubs

Catcher

White Sox

A.J. Pierzynski makes this rivalry what it is, and now he has the numbers to back it up. He leads the White Sox with a .306 average and has scored 30 runs. And, he has killed the Cubs the past three years with four home runs, 13 RBIs and a .424 OBP.

Cubs

Geovanty Soto not only leads all rookies and catchers in most hitting categories, he’s also among the top 25 hitters in slugging percentage and RBIs. His ability to handle a diverse pitching staff has been laudable as well.

Advantage: Cubs

Outfield

White Sox

Where would the White Sox be without Jermaine Dye and Carlos Quentin? The two have combined for 27 home runs, 84 runs and 88 RBIs. Nick Swisher is better than his numbers – his .349 OBP shows off his patience at the plate. His 43 walks are fifth in the American League .

Cubs

With Soriano out with a broken hand, the Cubs outfield has taken a hit. But the Cubs have a multitude of options to replace him – move DeRosa to right, Micah Hoffpauir, Matt Murton. But the key for the Cubs outfield will be Kosuke Fukudome.

Advantage: White Sox

Starting Pitching

White Sox

Without pitching the Sox would be nowhere near the top of the AL Central, let alone first place. Without a weakness in the rotation, the Southsiders could send anyone out this weekend and still have a shot. John Danks, Jose Contreras and Javier Vazquez are projected to take the mound, respectively.

Cubs

Ted Lilly and Jason Marquis have taken their lumps this year, but both have had encouraging starts recently. The biggest trouble could come to Marquis, who got knocked up by the White Sox in his start against them last year.

Advantage: White Sox

Bullpen

White Sox

Bobby Jenks has continued to gain elite closer status, posting 16 saves in 19 attempts this year. Opponents are hitting just .242 off him and he’s just six earned runs on the season. The rest of the pen behind Jenks has been better than average with Scott Linebrinks 16 holds leading the way.

Cubs

With the exception of Kerry Wood’s move to the closer role, the Cubs’ bullpen is virtually the same as last year. The difference is Carlos Marmol is one year older and has matured into the baseball’s best setup man with a league leading 20 holds.

Advantage: Cubs

Bench

White Sox

Now that Thome won’t be coming off the bench, the Sox aren’t as deep as they need to be playing in a NL format. The Sox reserves aren’t particularly strong as Brian Anderson continues to be a disappointment and Paulo Ozuna is rarely used. Toby Hall is a serviceable catcher, but that rounds out a pretty shallow depth chart.

Cubs

The depth on the Cubs bench has allowed Lou Pinella to put a plethora of lineups to work with similar success. Ronny Cedeno could be an everyday player were it not for Theriot’s success, but he’s done well in limited playing time, tallying 19 RBIs and 20 runs in just more than 100 at bats.

Advantage: Cubs

Managing

White Sox

Ozzie’s antics have put him on the hot seat, but you can’t argue with results. The team has remained in first place despite poor hitting, largely due to Guillen’s ability to manage his pitching staff.

Cubs

Sweet Lou has led the Cubs to baseball’s best record and are ranked first, second or third in most hitting and pitching stats. Pinella has kept a level head almost all season. Still, he’s kept his club playing at a high level while keeping his cool.

Advantage: Push

Series Prediction: Cubs 2, White Sox 1.