My first installment was called Octoberquest Watch, But l looked at this postseason schedule and was reminded that a few World Series games could be played in November. Not meant to get too far ahead of the Twins' playoff hopes as much as it is to point out the ridiculousness of the MLB calendar.

MLB commissioner Bud Selig must agree, because he's moving up the 2011 opener nearly a week.

Anyway,in this Chicago Tribune story the Pale Hose lost on Tuesday and are now 4.5 games back of the Twins in the AL Central. So Chicago really made little ground during their recent hot streak.

The Twins have won 10 of their last 12 games to maintain a safe buffer between them and the White Sox streak - call it a surge protector.

Brian Duensing is on the mound tonight as the Twins go for a second straight series sweep. The White Sox have two more games in Detroit before coming home to play the Royals...then the Twins. Chicago has injury concerns (Freddy Garcia, Gordon Beckham, Paul Konerko) and John Danks is starting tonight on three days' rest.

That's worth watching. If there is a bulldog in that White Sox rotation it's Danks.

Manny Ramirez is 7-for-18 since joining the Sox - all singles. He's scored one run and hasn't walked once - although he was hit with pitches twice on Tuesday.

By the way, check out the poll on the left hand column of the White Sox story. The feeling around Chicago is that they want to see the Sox within three games before the division collision next week.

I voted for the Bears,if you were wondering.