twins/mlb

Cleveland Indians pitcher C.C. Sabathia was standing in the visiting clubhouse at the Metrodome on Aug. 3 when he said, "There is no doubt in my mind that we're going to win this division."

Sounded rather bold at the time.

Cleveland was clinging to a half-game lead over the Tigers. The Twins were 6½ games back. And these were the same Indians who blew a chance to make the playoffs in 2005 by losing six of their final seven games.

Now, Sabathia's words echo the way Kirby Puckett's did when he told the Twins to jump on his back before Game 6 of the 1991 World Series.

Cleveland entered the weekend on a 20-5 stretch that all but wrapped up the AL Central title and its first playoff berth since 2001.

At 18-7 with a 3.19 ERA, Sabathia has built a strong case to become Cleveland's first Cy Young Award winner since Gaylord Perry in 1972.

Sabathia has allowed two runs or fewer in 11 of his past 12 starts. He leads the majors with 234 innings pitched.

Without Fausto Carmona's amazing turnaround -- from 1-10 last year to 17-8 -- Cleveland wouldn't be a playoff team. But Sabathia is the team's heart and soul.

"He's a true No. 1 starter," manager Eric Wedge said. "There's a different atmosphere when he's pitching, and both teams feel it. He's a true leader. He's been here longer than anyone and understands what this is all about."

Down go the Tigers

Detroit was the favorite to win the division after reaching the World Series last year.

As first baseman Sean Casey said, "We feel like we're better this year than last year on paper. For whatever reason, it didn't come together like it did last year."

The main reason was injuries. Gary Sheffield, Marcus Thames, Jeremy Bonderman, Nate Robertson, Kenny Rogers, Andrew Miller, Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney spent time on the DL.

"To get to the playoffs, first off you have to have a lot of talent, which we do," third baseman Brandon Inge said. "Secondly, you have to stay healthy, which we did not. It makes it tough."

Around the division

• When Jim Thome slugged his 500th home run last Sunday, you got a sense for how well-liked he is in the White Sox clubhouse.