Chicago White Sox Doing Their Best to Cement Bruce Chen's Bid for Cy Young

Bruce Chen of the Kansas City Royals is hands down the best pitcher in the American League.

To the Chicago White Sox, that is.

Chen may not be campaigning for a Cy Young award, but he should be campaigning for the chance to start a couple more games against Chicago. Against the rest of the Major League, Chen is a far-from-overpowering lefty who has crafted a 5-5 record behind a 5.03 ERA.

In three starts against the White Sox, Chen is 2-0 with a 0.90 ERA. The Royals have won all three of those starts, including the 5-1 victory over Chicago that dropped them five games behind Detroit in the AL Central standings.

Chen had a 4.54 ERA and an 0-3 record in five previous career starts against Chicago. In 2011, he is suddenly the reincarnation of Warren Sphan.

The White Sox could manage only one hit in the six innings Chen pitched Friday night, falling to 3-6 against the Royals in the season series.

For good measure, Chen plunked A.J. Pierzynski on the wrist in the sixth inning. Fortunately, X-rays don't show a break, but Pierzynski had to leave the contest and may not play Saturday.

Chicago can ill-afford their starting catcher to miss any time—especially with a hobbled Paul Konerko. However, that's the kind of luck the team has had with the Royals this season.

Kansas City is 13-24 against the rest of the division. Detroit and Cleveland, who are in front of Chicago, are both 8-4 against the team in the AL Central basement.

Detroit is five games up on the White Sox and has five more wins than Chicago over the weakest team in their own division. 'Nuff said.

Kansas City has winning records against just three American League teams this season. I'm sure they feel good about facing the White Sox seven more times after this weekend series.

With an 18-21 record against the other teams in their division, it's no mystery why the White Sox can only cling to hope of a division flag. It's up to Chicago to bang out a solution to the Royals, starting with the remainder of this weekend's games.