CHICAGO — Relaxed and loose, some of the Tampa Bay Rays wore ski caps and earflaps for a workout yesterday, only to find sunny skies and crisp temperatures not requiring extra protection.

The Rays were ready for the elements. Then again, they were prepared for everything the Chicago White Sox did in the opening two games of their AL playoff series.

"You see a group of kids there — I won't say happy just to be there — just like enjoying the moment," said White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, contrasting the demeanor of his veteran team and the younger Rays. "We have a veteran clubhouse, veteran guys. They go about their business a different way."

The Rays were ready to add another chapter to this remarkable season, taking a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series heading into Game 3 today.

One of the biggest differences in the first two games was Tampa Bay's ability to deliver a clutch hit. The White Sox left 12 runners on in Friday's 6-2 loss and were just 4-for-17 with runners in scoring position in the first two games in Florida.

Reliant on homers all year — they led the majors with 234 during the regular season — the White Sox hope a return home will rejuvenate their offense. They were 54-28 in their home park this year — only the Rays and Red Sox were better.

Matt Garza, 11-9 with a 3.70 ERA, will start for Tampa Bay, which went from a major league-worst 96 losses last season to 97 victories this year.

Lefty John Danks, who beat Minnesota on Tuesday in a one-game tiebreaker for the AL Central, will start for Chicago, which would host Game 4 tomorrow — if the White Sox get that far.

"I don't want to mess around ... We have to bury them as soon as we can," said Rays rookie star Evan Longoria, who homered twice in Tampa Bay's 6-4 victory in the opener.

For Chicago, winning three straight to get in doesn't necessarily translate to its situation now. But the White Sox, who still have several core players from their 2005 World Series winner, are confident they can rebound.

"You're not playing Cleveland, whose season is ending, or Detroit, who flew in on a makeup day. Tampa Bay is a quality team," White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko said.