The White Sox head up to Minnesota for a three game series against the Twins starting tomorrow night. This series involves two team that have been hot as of late, and will be trying to improve their record against the American League central division. As I am sure many of you are aware, Minnesota is not a place that the White Sox have faired well in a very long time. Even with the Twins’ old stadium The Metrodome being gone and new Target Field being their new home, the White Sox just can never seem to beat the Twins. To me it has become something that is almost all mental now with the Sox truly believing that they cannot beat the Twins and they already feel defeated before the game begins. While the Twins are still 13 games under .500 and 9 games back in last place of the AL central division, this is not a series, or team, that the White Sox can take lightly.
The Twins have won 8 of their last 10 games and made up 7.5 games since June 1st. No, that is not a misprint. The Twins, on June 1st were 16.5 games back of first and 20 games under .500 at 17-37. I have to say, I am guilty of counting that team out right then and there. I thought that there was no way with all of their injuries and bad pitching they could ever be relevant in 2011. Once again, the Twins prove me wrong. Now, granted, they are still 9 games back and have 4 teams to climb over, but in the division that is seemingly there for anyone to take, the Twins make me nervous.
Going back into last season, the White Sox have lost the last 8 of 10 games played against Minnesota, including the last 5 in a row. One of those being the no-hitter Francisco Liriano tossed back in early May in Chicago. Are the Twins a team that is far and ahead better than the White Sox? I really don’t believe so. Again, I believe that it is something that is in their heads, and the team just has trouble with them. This happens for other teams that I have noticed recently. For example, the White Sox seem to have the Red Sox number over the past few years, as well as the Twins not being able to beat the Yankees whether it be in the regular season, but more importantly, the postseason. Once a trend starts to happen, don’t think that every player in that clubhouse knows about it and thinks about it.
This is a big series for the Sox. If they can take at least 2 in Minnesota, it will slow the Twins hot streak, and bring a lot of confidence in the Sox dugout. It all starts tomorrow night: Floyd vs. Pavano. First pitch 7:10 CT.
Original Story:
http://www.whitesoxrant.com/2011/06/w...
