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Southside Showdown

White Sox in Position to Influence October As Spoilers

By Owen Schoenfeld

Jul 26, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox right fielder Adam Eaton (1) reacts after hitting a home run against the Chicago Cubs during the fifth inning at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 26, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox right fielder Adam Eaton (1) reacts after hitting a home run against the Chicago Cubs during the fifth inning at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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CLEVELAND INDIANS

Jun 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; The Cleveland Indians celebrate a 5-4 walk-off win over the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; The Cleveland Indians celebrate a 5-4 walk-off win over the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

The Cleveland Indians are a blueprint for how Chicago’s season could have gone. Like the White Sox, they’re built on a trio of arms at the top of their rotation.

The difference is that their value signings (Mike Napoli, Marlon Byrd, and Rajai Davis) were markedly better than that of Jimmy Rollins, Mat Latos, and Austin Jackson.

Not to mention manager Terry Francona has proven he can get the most out of a roster on an annual basis. As such, Cleveland currently sits atop the AL Central.

Cleveland Indians 79-56 —
Detroit Tigers 74-62 5.5 GB

The White Sox will play the Indians for seven more games this season. Had they hung around at all, they could have had a shot to make a move of their own. The Indians come to town for a four-game set from September 12-15th. Then the White Sox head to Cleveland for a three-game matchup from September 23-25th.

All the ingredients are in place for the White Sox to have a direct influence on how the AL Central race shakes out. Sweeping the Tigers and getting crushed by the Indians will seal the deal for Cleveland while the inverse is true if Chicago hammers The Tribe.

With just a 3-9 record vs. the Indians this season, the White Sox stand to only gain respectability if they can shift that closer to .500. For Cleveland it could be the difference between taking home division hardware or playing a one-and-done game in October.

Next: Kansas City Royals

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