White Sox are a win away from clinching
Despite their late-season slump, the Chicago White Sox are one victory away from clinching the AL-Central title as they conclude a four-game series with the Detroit Tigers.
Jose Contreras won his eighth straight start and Scott Podsednik had four hits to lead the White Sox to an 8-2 victory over the Tigers on Wednesday. Chicago, which has assured itself of at least a tie for the wild card and a possible playoff, opened a three-game lead in the Central as second-place Cleveland suffered its third straight loss, 1-0 to Tampa Bay.
Because of Cleveland's loss, the Sox could clinch their first division title since 2000 with a victory Thursday no matter what the Indians do later in the day. If the Sox and Indians are tied at the end of the season, the wild card will go to the Indians and the Sox will enter the playoffs as division champions.
After Thursday's series finale in Detroit, the White Sox finish the regular season with three games at Cleveland.
``To worry about what (the Indians are) going to do in another city, you worry about stupid stuff you can't control,'' White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen. ``Just come back tomorrow and win the game.''
Carl Everett had a two-run triple, Juan Uribe homered and Aaron Rowand hit a three-run shot for the White Sox, who had lost 12 of their previous 19 games. They led the AL Central by 15 games on Aug. 1 -- no team with a lead of more than 13 games has ever failed to finish first.
Freddy Garcia will take the ball for the White Sox and looks to continue his success against Detroit. He has won seven of his last nine decisions against the Tigers, improving to 10-5 with a 3.61 ERA in 18 career starts. He is 2-1 with a 2.63 ERA in three outings this season against the Tigers.
The 29-year-old right-hander hopes to have turned the corner after eight strong innings in an 8-1 win over Minnesota on Saturday. He had been 1-4 with a 4.65 ERA in his previous nine starts.
Jason Grilli is looking to build on a stellar effort in his first career start for Detroit. The right-hander yielded one run and two hits in seven innings of a 7-1 win over Seattle on Saturday.
He won for the first time since Sept. 11, 2004, when he was with the White Sox, and is looking forward to facing his former team for the first time.
``You always love pitching against your old team, and now I can try to play spoiler against the White Sox,'' he said, ``That would be a great way to finish the year.''
Carlos Pena homered Wednesday for Detroit, which had won four straight since an eight-game skid.
Jose Contreras won his eighth straight start and Scott Podsednik had four hits to lead the White Sox to an 8-2 victory over the Tigers on Wednesday. Chicago, which has assured itself of at least a tie for the wild card and a possible playoff, opened a three-game lead in the Central as second-place Cleveland suffered its third straight loss, 1-0 to Tampa Bay.
Because of Cleveland's loss, the Sox could clinch their first division title since 2000 with a victory Thursday no matter what the Indians do later in the day. If the Sox and Indians are tied at the end of the season, the wild card will go to the Indians and the Sox will enter the playoffs as division champions.
After Thursday's series finale in Detroit, the White Sox finish the regular season with three games at Cleveland.
``To worry about what (the Indians are) going to do in another city, you worry about stupid stuff you can't control,'' White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen. ``Just come back tomorrow and win the game.''
Carl Everett had a two-run triple, Juan Uribe homered and Aaron Rowand hit a three-run shot for the White Sox, who had lost 12 of their previous 19 games. They led the AL Central by 15 games on Aug. 1 -- no team with a lead of more than 13 games has ever failed to finish first.
Freddy Garcia will take the ball for the White Sox and looks to continue his success against Detroit. He has won seven of his last nine decisions against the Tigers, improving to 10-5 with a 3.61 ERA in 18 career starts. He is 2-1 with a 2.63 ERA in three outings this season against the Tigers.
The 29-year-old right-hander hopes to have turned the corner after eight strong innings in an 8-1 win over Minnesota on Saturday. He had been 1-4 with a 4.65 ERA in his previous nine starts.
Jason Grilli is looking to build on a stellar effort in his first career start for Detroit. The right-hander yielded one run and two hits in seven innings of a 7-1 win over Seattle on Saturday.
He won for the first time since Sept. 11, 2004, when he was with the White Sox, and is looking forward to facing his former team for the first time.
``You always love pitching against your old team, and now I can try to play spoiler against the White Sox,'' he said, ``That would be a great way to finish the year.''
Carlos Pena homered Wednesday for Detroit, which had won four straight since an eight-game skid.
posted by www.alphatickets.com at 12:10 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home