Much has been discussed about the Chicago White Sox‘s improved play since Miguel Cairo took over the team a few weeks ago.
However, and truth be told, they have been the AL Central’s best team since the start of the summer.
“SINCE JULY 1ST: #WhiteSox 39-31; Cleveland 37-32; #MNTwins 29-34,” NBC Sports Chicago senior producer Ryan McGuffey tweeted.
SINCE JULY 1ST:#WhiteSox 39-31
Cleveland 37-32#MNTwins 29-34#ForTheLand— Ryan McGuffey (@RyanMcGuffey) September 16, 2022
The problem is that the White Sox’s first three months were so bad that they gave up a lot of ground.
Now, they are still behind the Cleveland Guardians in the standings, and therefore out of the playoffs as we speak.
Three Teams In The Race For The AL Central
Before Friday’s games, the Guards led the AL Central with a 76-66 record.
They lost their last contest but have been hot recently, winning eight of their last ten.
The White Sox, however, have been able to leapfrog the Twins for second place in the division.
The pale hose are 74-70, and Minnesota, who took advantage of a series against the lowly Kansas City Royals to start the week, are 72-70.
Anything can happen in this particular race, because the Twins are just four games behind Cleveland.
To make it to the postseason the teams will likely have to win the AL Central because there is no realistic chance they can aspire to one of the Wild Card spots with such a weak record.
In fact, the Tampa Bay Rays currently occupy the last Wild Card spot in the American League with an 80-63 record, and that would be enough to lead the AL Central.
In any case, the White Sox have been a lot better as of late and can’t be ruled out for a spot in the postseason, at least not yet.
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