Sox face crucial road test
This isn't going to be usual "take it one game at a time'' road swing for the White Sox.
How they fare on a challenging 10-game trip at Detroit, Minnesota and Kansas City could very well determine the Sox' postseason fate.
"I think this road trip - I don't want to put pressure on ourselves - but we have to,'' manager Ozzie Guillen said. "We can't deny it. This road trip can be how the summer's going to be for us. It can be a real fun one or a miserable one.''
All in all, it has been a fun season for the Sox.
Early on they had some offensive issues. And lately the starting rotation and bullpen have sprung some leaks.
Still, the White Sox have been in first place in the AL Central since May 17, and they hold a 2-game lead over the Twins as they prepare to play three against the third-place Tigers at Comerica Park.
The Sox have been solid at home (35-16), but they've struggled away from U.S. Cellular Field, including 10 losses in their last 15 road games.
"We've got some tough games coming up, and we know Detroit is playing good ball, Minnesota was playing great,'' first baseman Paul Konerko said. "This is going to be a good trip.
"I don't think there will be an answer at the end of the trip or in our division, but I think what we want to do is put some distance between ourselves and the other teams."
Adding Miguel Cabrera, Dontrelle Willis and Edgar Renteria during the off-season, the Tigers were the consensus pick to win the Central - if not the World Series.
After stumbling out to a 2-10 start and limping into the all-star break at 47-47, Detroit was all but written off. But the Tigers have been playing up to their preseason expectations while going 28-13 since June 7, the best record in baseball.
"We didn't think they'd go away,'' said Sox right fielder Jermaine Dye. "They have too much talent in that lineup. They're pretty healthy now, so we know we have to go up there and play good baseball.''
Guillen expects the White Sox to do just that.
"We've played big games against our division,'' Guillen said. "I don't why, but I have a lot of confidence they're going to play good.''
The Sox are taking some momentum on the big trip after winning two straight against the Rangers at the Cell.
In Wednesday's 10-8 win over Texas, Carlos Quentin's 3-run homer in the eighth capped a rally from an 8-4 deficit.
"We have some great teams to play against,'' Quentin said. "We trust what we have here and we are looking forward to the challenge. They're always good battles, and there will be good atmosphere in those games.''
Forget about going 10-0 on the road trip. The Sox would gladly settle for winning all three series and coming home 7-3.
"Certainly, there is a sense of urgency playing teams in our division, and we have to come out and play some great ball,'' relief pitcher Scott Linebrink said. "It's not going to be easy, especially the four in Minnesota. All those teams are going to play us tough.
"We would like to put some distance, but that might be a lot to expect. On the road, you would like to play these guys evenly, win some series. That would be a plus. Take two out of three and that would be great. We are going to try to win every game, but we know they will play us hard, too.''