• They've been outscored 14-2 in their past two games, after reeling off a seven-game winning streak.
  • Today's series finale in Detroit has the feel of a must-win. It starts at 12:05 p.m. By game's end, they'll trail the Twins by either five or six games. On the mound, they have their best pitcher of the past three months -- Gavin Floyd, who is 8-5 with a 2.27 ERA in 17 starts since June 8. But they'll be facing Rick Porcello, who is finally pitching well for Detroit. It's too little, too late for the Tigers own playoff hopes, but Porcello is 3-0 with a 2.14 ERA in his past three starts, and has allowed just two walks and 12 hits in 21 innings pitched.
  • Ozzie Guillen keeps getting asked about Jim Thome. "Jim is playing just because [Justin] Morneau is not there, and I'm glad for Jimmy," Guillen told reporters Wednesday. "Believe me, I'm very happy for him. He proved to people he could still play. ... I never said we thought he couldn't play anymore. I'm very, very happy for him. All those people can say whatever they want to say. I keep my head up. I go by what we think, what we feel was better for the ballclub."
  • Reliever J.J. Putz returns from the DL today, but Freddy Garcia won't be able to pitch against the Royals this weekend because of a bad back. He flew back to Chicago for more tests on Wednesday. That means the White Sox will either use rookie Lucas Harrell or Tony Pena in a spot start.
  • This weekend will be Chicago's last chance to play KC, which really looked awful this week against the Twins. Don't know if enough was made about how depleted the Royals look right now. They've been a dangerous team in past Septembers, but they've traded away several key players this year -- Jose Guillen, Scott Podsednik, Alberto Callaspo, Rick Ankiel, Kyle Farnsworth -- and others are hurt or making their way back slowly from injuries -- David DeJesus, Jason Kendall, Billy Butler, Gil Meche, Brian Bannister, Luke Hochevar. The Twins are 12-3 against the Royals and thrilled to have three more cracks at them, Sept. 27-29 in Kansas City.
  • Looking ahead to next week, John Danks, who pitched pretty well on three day's rest Wednesday, is scheduled to pitch opposite Francisco Liriano in Tuesday's series opener in Chicago. It'll likely be Floyd vs. Brian Duensing on Wednesday and Carl Pavano vs. Mark Buehrle on Thursday. Both teams have lined up their top horses for the series, but the question for Chicago right now is, will it matter?