On deck: White Sox-Guardians, Red Sox-Rays, Yankees-Diamondbacks

Can the Chicago White Sox hold on to the American League Central or will the Cleveland Guardians earn another come-from-behind division title? This week could go a long way toward determining the answer to that question.

Three games between the two teams in Cleveland beginning on Monday represent the final meeting of the regular season between them. The White Sox own a half-game lead over the Guardians, but it's a tenuous lead at best.

Chicago is 4-8 in September while Cleveland is 7-6, making this race for the top of the AL Central one that has fans on the South Side holding their collective breath as the White Sox endure a stumble. Losers of nine of their last 14 games, the White Sox have been in first place for 93 days this season (including Monday) and every day since July 4. That could end on Monday night at Progressive Field.

Boston Red Sox at Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays have been featured often in our "On Deck" series recently as their schedule has had some marquee matchups in September. However, with every test presented to them, the Rays have aced them all.

Last week, Tampa Bay won two of three in Atlanta against the Braves and then came home to sweep the Houston Astros. It shows the type of moxie that will make the Rays dangerous not only in the postseason, but the rest of the way as well. 

There are still plenty of tests left for the Rays, including their final three home games coming this weekend against the Red Sox.

Boston received some good news on Sunday, welcoming Willson Contreras back from the injured list, a key addition to their lineup down the stretch. It's good news for a Red Sox team that is firmly entrenched into the second AL wild-card spot but could play a big role in Tampa Bay's quest to keep its place at the top of the division.

New York Yankees at Arizona Diamondbacks

With the recent remembrances of the September 11 attacks, 2001 has been in the front of many of our minds in recent days. With this series beginning on Friday at Chase Field, that year will once again be brought up plenty of times as these two teams played in an emotional 2001 World Series, won in seven games by Arizona.

But, while there may be plenty of past highlights shown, this series will be all about the present for a pair of teams looking to lock in their place in the postseason.

New York enters Monday 4.0 games behind Tampa Bay in the AL East standings. While the Yankees hold the top wild-card spot, it's clear they believe they can still grab the division lead, especially with the Rays and Yankees meeting four times in the Bronx just after New York returns home from Phoenix.

For the Diamondbacks, every game right now is about survival. A nine-game homestand that ends with the Yankees series began by dropping two of three games to the Texas Rangers. With the loss to Texas on Sunday, Arizona was 2.0 games out of the final NL wild-card spot (before Sunday night's action) with 12 games left on their schedule.