The White Sox knew coming into today's game that they had to win, or their run to the playoffs would be over. A win today would allow the South Siders to play a make-up game against the Tigers tomorrow and hopefully a playoff with the Twins on Tuesday. Despite huge losses to the Indians in the past two days, the Sox came up big winning 5-1.
Mark Buehrle, pitching on just three days rest, threw seven innings and gave up just one run. The Sox offense, anemic over the past week, finally came alive today. Paul Konerko hit a home run in the second inning, and Jermaine Dye had two RBI. Credit the bats of the Sox and a stroke of end of season luck, as likely Cy Young winner Cliff Lee was scratched from starting for the Indians.
But a win is a win, and Chicago's dream of a Red Line World Series is still on track.
Now, the team must turn its focus to the next two (well, we hope two) days. It's the classic win-or-go-home scenario. If the Sox beat the Tigers Monday, they will pull into a tie with the Twins for the AL Central title, forcing a playoff on Tuesday night at U.S. Cellular Field. Gavin Floyd will pitch for the Sox Monday. They will face a familiar pitcher from the Tigers in Freddy Garcia, a member of the 2005 World Series winning team.
