American League Central Division Title Now in Twins Favor

The Minnesota Twins have now swept the Chicago White Sox, and are in 1st place by a 1/2 game.  Each team opens a 3-game series at home; the Twins vs the Kansas City Royals and the Sox vs the Cleveland Indians.  The Twins are 11-4 against the Royals with a 4-2 record at home.  The Sox are 10-5 against the Indians with a 6-0 record at home.

The Twins control their own Central Division fate – win their remaining games (including a potential one game play-in at the Sox) and they are in the playoffs for the 5th time in the last 7 years.  Lose and need to see what the Sox do.  If the Twins or Sox are ahead by only a 1/2 game after their games on Sunday, then the Sox will host a make-up game against the Detroit Tigers on Monday.  If there is a tie after this game, then the Twins play at the Sox for a 1-game play-in; winner moves on to play the Tampa Bay Rays in the first round of the playoffs.  If the Twins or Sox are ahead by at least 1-1/2 games after each plays on Sunday, then its the end of the season for the trailing team.

Francisco Liriano (6-3, 3.39 era) pitches tonight for the Twins against Kyle Davies (8-2, 4.21) for the Royals followed by Glen Perkins (12-4, 4.50) vs Gil Meche (13-11, 4.05) on Saturday and Scott Baker (10-4, 3.59) vs Brandon Duckworth (3-2, 5.06) on Sunday.  Since Liriano’s recall from the minors in August, he has gone 6-0 with a 2.05 era, 55 strikeouts, and 18 walks in 10 games. 

John Danks (11-8, 3.20) pitches tonight for the Sox against Scott Lewis (3-0, 1.42) for the Indians followed by Javier Vasquez (12-15, 4.46) vs Zach Johnson (1-3, 5.96) on Saturday and Mark Buehrle (14-12, 3.87) vs Cliff Lee (22-3, 2.54) on Sunday.  The toughest game in this series will be when the Sox have to face Lee who is a lock to win the American League Cy Young.  Plus, Lee pitched a complete game shutout against the Sox on Labor Day.

Anything can happen in baseball, but at least on paper, the Twins have the easier schedule.  Hopefully the Twins win the Central Division this weekend without the Sox having to play the Tigers on Monday.  Thus, giving the Twins players and fans a chance to catch their breath before the playoffs.

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