With all that was going on Sunday, I did take a glance at the White Sox and Angels game. The White Sox had the bases loaded. There was one out. It was the first inning against Cy Young candidate Jared Weaver. In was like torture for the White Sox, even though two of their better hitters were due up, Alex Rios and A.J. Pierzynski, It was as if you could sense they weren't going to get hits, or even get a run or two home. They didn't. Rios struck out, and Pierzynski grounded out. No runs scored, and the White Sox eventually lost 4-1. On the road trip to Kansas City and LA, the White Sox either hit solo home runs or they didn't score. The White Sox issues in this area, and I know this is difficult to believe, are even more pronounced than the Tigers. Defensively, the White Sox haven't been stellar, either. In KC, outfielder Daylan Viciedo butchered a ball hit by the Royals Alex Gordon which broke up a close game during the late innings.
So it is difficult to get inspired by a race when two clubs are playing such uninspiring baseball. It does look like the glass is 99 percent empty in both the Motor City and the Windy City, but this is something I do think sheds light on how special it would be, regardless, if the Tigers get into the playoffs for a second straight year. It hasn't happened in Detroit since 1934-35.
And if there was a one-game playoff between the White Sox and Tigers, it would be exciting.
Getting in, even under less than enthralling circumstances, would mean the Tigers have gotten to the point where postseason baseball is their standard rather than an aberration.
The race is going to get dicey this week. The pitching matchups favor the White Sox vs. Cleveland at home the next three days .The Tigers have struggled against the Royals on the road, but it should be different at home, right? The Tigers have won four of their five home games so far this season vs. the Royals.
It starts with Justin Verlander tonight. Considering how the Royals hammered him recently in KC, this is one of the bigger starts of his career. With Chris Sale working for the White Sox tonight against Cleveland, the Tigers need Verlander more than ever.