The Chicago White Sox just made things incredibly interesting in the American League. With their 8-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Monday, the White Sox have forced a one-game playoff with the Minnesota Twins for the AL Central crown. Alexei Ramirez hit a gram slam during the sixth inning to propel the Sox over the Tigers.
Beginning with Sunday’s series finale against Cleveland, the White Sox knew they had to win three games in order to reach the AL Division Series against the Rays. That magic number has been reduced to one for both the White Sox and the Twins, who enter Tuesday with identical 88-74 records.
“I don’t think you ever expect a one-game playoff,” said White Sox first baseman and team captain Paul Konerko, who has been talking about this race going down to the final days since mid-August. “It’s an oddity. We are just scrapping, fighting and trying to get to where we want to go.”
“You get passed feeling tired and forget about all those aches and pains,” added White Sox reliever Scott Linebrink, who struck out the side during an impressive eighth inning. “Adrenaline gets you going. Our situation is great — we fought for this and earned it. One hundred and sixty-two [games weren’t] enough so we need one extra, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Isn’t it amazing how teams can go through a 162-game season and still wind up tied at the end? It’s doubtful that either of these clubs can hang with the Angels, Rays or Red Sox for an entire series, but then again, you never know. Momentum is a scary thing – look at the 2007 Colorado Rockies who rode a 10-game winning streak all the way to the World Series last year.
Nick Blackburn (11-10, 4.14 ERA) of the Twins will take the rubber against Chicago’s John Danks (11-9, 3.47) on Tuesday. First pitch is 7:30 PM ET.
