After two shutouts over Kansas City, the Chicago White Sox are going for a critical sweep this afternoon at U.S. Commiskey Park.  And to do it, they will need a stellar effort from kid pitcher Lance Broadway.

This game is a big one in the standings.  The Twinkies have the day off, which means today will resolve the issue of the one less game the Sox have played.  Technically, the Sox were never out of first yesterday, even after the Twinkies beat the Yankees yesterday afternoon at the Rollerdome.  The Sox maintained a one one-hundredth of a percentage point over them thanks to having played one less game.  That small advantage is gone after today.

So what do the Sox have to do to get the sweep and stay ahead of the Twinkies?  Get five decent innings from Lance Broadway.  Hope the wind is blowing out, put some on the board (yes!) early and let the kid throw about 90 pitches.  Then hustle him the hell out of their in favor of D.J. Carrasco. 

If there was one game that the Sox need to score early and often this is it.  Given their success over the years in Oakland, it's reasonable to assume that it could be a long weekend for the Sox after this afternoon.  Add to that the Twinkies enjoy home cooking and the Seattle Mariners and you get a little concerned.

I'm okay with Broadway getting this start.  He performed well against Kansas City last year and I think you can't really judge him on his minor league numbers this year.  A lot of pitchers, once they get the call to the bigs, regress a little at AAA simply because they don't want to be there.  Let's hope Broadway can handle the footlights today.

Lightning Round

• Impressive in last night's victory was the fact that the Sox manufactured runs.  A.J.'s bunt got O.C. over to third. Chris Getz executed a perfect hit and run.  Ken Griffey Junior picked up two RBIs on a single to right field. The Sox got solid pitching and did not need to jack the ball out of the yard to win.  That's important if this team makes the playoffs.
• I want you to remember where you saw this.  I predict that somewhere between now and the time the Sox play their last game, Junior will do something huge.  Maybe a home run in a big game or a bases clearing double.  It may not completely vindicate Kenny Williams for picking him up, but Junior will do at least one huge thing that will become part of White Sox lore forever.  Just like Geoff Blum. 
• The Sox back to back shutouts of Kansas City are even more impressive when you considerthe Sox MVP has been sitting on the bench.
  
• John Renneke breaks down Kenny Williams trades and gives him a passing grade. (Bugs & Cranks)
• If we get to live 2005 over again, I don't give a damn who the Sox play in the World Series.  I also know that if it were to be the Cubs and the Sox beat them, the Cub fans would blame goats, the umpires, some fan sitting in left field, etc. and never give the Sox any credit (you know, kind of like the Marlins in 2003.)  Bottom line, let's all focus on winning the division first, then the ALDS before we go crazy and start assuming facts not in evidence.