AL Central Race: Does Anybody Really Want It?

The American League Central Division race is proving to be the most intriguing race in baseball as the final month progresses. Two teams that were supposed to be non-competitive this year are battling for a playoff spot, while the two preseason contenders are muddling away at the bottom of the division.

The former, of course, are the Chicago White Sox and the Minnesota Twins, while the latter are the Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers. However, while the race tightens up and the stretch run is upon us, neither the White Sox nor the Twins are really playing like teams that want to win their division.

It is true that both are embattled in long road trips, with the Twins going on a highly publicized 14-game road trip while the Republicans invade the twin cities. However, this is the time of the year when the contenders separate themselves from the pretenders. In addition, neither the White Sox nor the Twins are playing like contenders.

Entering today's series finale against the Indians, the White Sox were 3-6 on their 10-game road trip to Baltimore, Boston, and Cleveland. The Twins, meanwhile, are finishing up their long trip with two more games in Toronto and are currently 5-7 through the first 12.

Things look a lot more promising for the Twins, however, as they have played much stiffer competition on their road trip. If they split the final two in Toronto and finish at 6-8, it wouldn't be a horrible conclusion, overall.

However, the most promising factor for the Twins is the fact that as they sit two games away from returning for their grueling road trip, they are currently in the exact same position in the standings as they were at the start of the trip—tied for the division lead.
 
The most amazing fact in this race is that since July 26 neither team has led or trailed in the division by more than two games. When the White Sox win the Twins win, and visa versa. The trend may likely continue for the rest of the season, as after their respective road trips both teams return home to face teams they should beat.

Likewise, the Twins are 46-23 at the Metrodome this season and the White Sox are 46-22 at U.S. Cellular Field. It has been said by pundits time and time again and it appears it will hold true as the season progresses: the AL Central Title may very well come down to the Sept. 23-25 series between the White Sox and Twins at the Metrodome.

It's hard to believe either team will have jumped out to a substantial lead by that point. The White Sox have tough series against the likes of Tampa Bay and New York before that, while the Twins also have four games in Tampa Bay, where the Rays are virtually unbeatable.

So unless one of the teams slips up before then and goes through an unforeseen winning or losing streak, it's likely that the title will come down to the battle at the Metrodome. And if this season is any indicator, it's very possible that the Twins will win yet another title, and the White Sox sit at home in October. However, then again, it's baseball. Anything can happen.