Delayed gratification

How appropriate is it that the start of today's make-up game between the White Sox and the Tigers is being delayed by rain? Our hopes for the postseason have been in delay mode since last week, and even if the Sox win today, they still need to wait for tomorrow to get a real chance at the postseason.

But, they only have that chance because they woke up and won yesterday behind a tough performance from Mark Buehrle on three days rest. Buehrle wasn't perfect by any means, but when he let guys on base, he was able to lock down (maybe he can teach Vazquez how to do that), and the Sox won 3-1. Paulie stayed hot with a homer, and the rest of the Sox were able to nudge two more runs across in what was a full team effort despite the low score.

The Piranhas, wouldn't you know, were done losing themselves, and shut out K.C. 6-0. So, it's all on the Sox again to extend their season. Even if they can, the odds are certainly stacked more against them than against our Cubs to make our dream of a Windy City World Series come true. The T.B. Rays closed the season out in strong fashion, and look even tougher than the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Orange County, who had MLB's best regular season record at 100-62. But, maybe the Sox will surprise--some of us our surprised they are still fighting for a spot at all.

The Cubs sent everyone except Santo out to the mound as they closed the season with a 3-1 loss to the Brewers that let the Beermakers into the postseason club. Actually, emptying the bullpen wasn't a bad idea, as it kept the Cubs in this one for the entire game. Bob Howry, who I hope we don't see too much of in the next few weeks, gave up a two-run HR to Ryan Braun that gave Milwaukee a timely 8th inning lead. CC got his CG, closing out the Cubs in the 9th without too much of a fuss. Let's hope the line-up was just saving their strength for this Wednesday's NLDS opener against the Dodgers.