MLB Standings: American League Central Race Is Embarrassing

 

Baseball’s playoff structure is probably the best in all of sports. The best team might not always win the World Series, but in most instances the best teams reach the postseason. There are very few instances when one says “this team has no right being in the playoffs”. This year, however, the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers do not deserve any postseason bid.

Luckily for them, MLB rules state that a team from each division has to make the playoffs, even if either of these teams don’t want to win. After the White Sox defeated the Tigers a week ago to stretch their lead to a full three games, many fans expected the White Sox to cruise to the division title. However, the White Sox couldn’t get over their bugaboo in Kansas City, dropping two of three in excruciating fashion to the Kansas City Royals. This weekend, the Sox were demolished by the Los Angeles Angels in a three-game series. One would figure the Tigers would capitalize on a five-game losing streak from the Sox, right?

Earlier in the week, Detroit defeated the playoff bound Oakland A’s in a three-game series for a nice confidence builder. Unfortunately for Detroit, rain washed out Friday’s game against the Minnesota Twins, which brought a day-night doubleheader on Sunday. But it’s the Twins, so should Detroit really be scared?

After the Tigers destroyed the Twins on Saturday behind the arm of Doug Fister, the lead shrunk to .5 games with the doubleheader looming large. That doubleheader, however, was another embarrassment for the American League Central. The Twins crushed Detroit 10-4 in the opener and won 2-1 in extra innings in the nightcap. So even though the White Sox lost again on Sunday, their magic number went from 12 to 10.

The White Sox have a one game lead entering today as they take on the Cleveland Indians for the first time since May. Conventional wisdom tells me that Chris Sale should dominate at home and end this losing streak, but who knows anymore? Detroit starts a four-game series against those Royals that embarrassed the White Sox. Will Detroit take control in their last home series this year?

Miguel Cabrera‘s triple crown race is a lot more exciting than the race for the American League Central title. Let’s just watch that, shall we?

Bryan is a featured writer for Rant Sports. Although he concentrates on MLB, you can see him covering a multitude of things across Rant Sports.

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