I'm glad the White Sox only hit three solo home runs and not four. Just saying...

September 25th, 2012

Cleveland Indians - 4

Chicago White Sox - 3

W: Corey Kluber (2-4) L: Francisco Liriano (6-12) S: Chris Perez (37)

[BOXSCORE]

That is why walks will kill you in this game, especially against a team like Chicago who is not only built off the home run, but play in a park that caters to that.

They have seven players with 15 or more homers, five with 20 or more. If Jason Kipnis can hit another homer, the Indians will have four players with 15 and no one with 20, unless Santana hits two.

So when you hit the long ball, if you get those guys on base, you can dominate.

That's why five walks among the White Sox lineup is a good thing. Thankfully two of those came from Chris Perez in the ninth AFTER he already surrendered a home run to Paul Konerko.

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With a rare Tuesday afternoon day game thanks to the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur and the White Sox ability to alter the schedule just so Kevin Youkilis could play, Corey Kluber threw seven strong innings and Russ Canzler had three hits, propelling the Indians to a 4-3 victory to even the series up at one game a piece.

Both teams had run-scoring opportunities in the first inning and failed, but only one pitcher was able to settle down after that. Shin-Soo Choo singled to lead off the ballgame, just his 35th hit off of a left handed pitcher this season, and scampered to second on a wild pitch with one out. Asdrubal Cabrera and Carlos Santana were unable to drive him in. Corey Kluber, who has struggled mightily in the first inning this season, escaped by the skin of his teeth in the first inning today. Alejandro De Aza walked to begin the ballgame and Kevin Youkilis flew out to deep center. De Aza stole second and Adam Dunn walked. After a ground out moved both runners up a base, Alex Rios lined out to end the inning with a scoreless tie.

It didn't stay tied for long. Russ Canzler homered for the second straight day, putting the Indians ahead 1-0. After that, both pitchers navigated their way through the second and third innings before the Indians put up three in the fourth. Santana walked and Canzler followed with a double to put runners on second and third with nobody out. Matt LaPorta struck out. Brent Lillibridge walked to load the bases for Thomas Neal. Neal bounced into a fielder's choice, plating Santana, and leaving runners on the corners. Ezequiel Carrera and Shin-Soo Choo both singled home a runner to put the Indians ahead 4-0 and send Francisco Liriano to an early shower.

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One way to get the world off the backs of MLB Umpires? Let the NFL bring in replacement refs. Then those boys in blue aren't so bad after all and the calling for machines doesn't seem to be a big topic of discussion. That's pretty cool.

September 24th, 2012

Cleveland Indians - 4

Chicago White Sox - 5

W: Brett Myers (3-7) L: Vinnie Pestano (3-3) S: Donald Veal (1)

[BOXSCORE]

Whatever controversy there was in this game due to bad umpiring was forgotten. This was a postseason game right here. Back and forth, good pitching, timely hitting, good defensive plays. Unfortunately the team that won is in the postseason race and the team that lost isn't. But that's good that the team that isn't is still putting up games worthy of challenging their opponent.

I'm sure the White Sox don't mind, considering that they need to be challenged, it could only help them if they do make the postseason.

Heck, the Acta said they're going to go out there and play the game the right way, for the respect of the AL Central race.

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The long suffering nightmare that has been the Indians road schedule will wrap up this week with a three-game series in the Windy City against the Chicago White Sox. In the second half, the Indians have been positively awful on the road, winning just nine of their 38 away games. With just nine games left in the season, the final six at home, and six of the final nine meetings against the White Sox, the Indians have a golden opportunity to play spoiler.

The White Sox enter this series reeling, having lost five straight. Their slim lead in the AL Central is down to just one game. Either the White Sox or the Tigers will pretty much back into the division title. The White Sox play six against the Indians and three against Tampa Bay, while the Tigers play six against Kansas City and three against Minnesota.

The Indians have been completely dominated in the season series, losing eight of 12, with a -31 run differential. As a team, Indians hitters are batting just .235 against the White Sox this year, while the White Sox offense has lit up the Indians pitching staff, who has a 6.60 ERA and 1.66 WHIP against the South Siders this season. As a unit, Indians pitchers have combined for a 5.61 road ERA this season.

Here are the pitching matchups for the final road series of the season:

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