Showdown Series (Act III)

That hurt.

Tigers 2, White Sox 1.

Jose Contreras was outstanding for 6 and 2/3. A hard slide by Marcus Thames and a Chris Shelton double later, he was on the wrong end of an incredibly well-pitched game on both sides.

Despite the sting of falling 5.5 back, this game doesn't bother me nearly as much as last night's. Everything just seemed off about that one. But if the Sox keep playing like this, it'll turn back in their favor - and it'll have to, because now is no time to ease up. The Rangers and the smokin'-hot Twins come to Comiskey next, followed by a three-game set in Baltimore. The schedule doesn't get easier until a month-ending set at Kansas City...which then segues right into a trip to Toronto and a 7-game home stretch against the Angels (makeup game), Yankees, and Tigers.

It's gut check time.

Win or Die Trying...Again.