Crucial Series for the White Sox

The Piranhas. The Twinkies. The pesky team. Whatever you want to call them, the Minnesota Twins have been a constant thorn in South Sider's sides for decades. Starting tonight, the Sox will duel their nemesis in a series with giant implications.

On August 6th, the White Sox stood 1.5 games ahead of the Twins. Ten days and seven losses later, the Sox find themselves three games back and in a must-win position in their series set for action at Target Field. The matchups offer what could be a great series, and is the second-to-last meeting between the two contenders of the AL Central.

The first of the three game series features RHP Scott Baker vs. LHP John Danks. Baker has had successful starts as of late, having almost pitched a no-hitter, but was tagged for four runs in six innings in his last outing against the Sox. On the other hand, John Danks completely dominated the Twins last series, allowing only one run and six hits over eight innings. Danks has been the team's most consistent pitcher, and look for him to continue that trend tonight, as I am predicting a series-opening White Sox win.

Almost as consistent as Danks was Gavin Floyd, until he was hammered for six runs in his last start against the Twins. He faces LHP Francisco Liriano, who was a magic man of sorts against the White Sox a few days back when he stranded the bases loaded with no outs several times. Floyd is due to bounce back, but Liriano's slider was so devastating against right handers, whom the Sox are extremely heavy on, that I find it hard to believe that things will change in the Sox's fortune in this game. The Twins snatch this win.

Now the rubber game. The Sox will send Mark Buehrle to the mound to face veteran Carl Pavano. The former Yankee has had a surprisingly well-above-average season. Buehrle also has come to form in his last twelve outings, eleven of which were quality starts. On a pitching level, this game is more or less even. Thus, factoring in the White Sox's current slide, apparent angst against the Twins, and bullpen issues, chalk this one up as another Twins win.

Speaking of bullpen issues, with Jenks sidelined and Putz getting beat on like a chemist attending the NFL combine, the Sox face an even more daunting task.

I often strive to be an optimist, but the Sox have not given me any reason to believe that they won't drop the series 2-1 or even get swept. For some years now, it seems as if the minute they step on the field with Joe Mauer and Co., they lock up and play bush league baseball.

It's flat out infuriating, and if they are in the least bit serious about winning a division title this year, they are going to have to puff their chest and stand up to their bully, or else get punked like they often do by that team from Minnesota.

Man up White Sox and face this one just as your South Side fan base would: with pride and arrogance.