With all doubt removed after losing two of three weekend games, the Chicago White Sox continue to play out the string tonight against Minnesota.  The best the Sox can do is motivate themselves to try and keep the pesky Twinkies from winning the AL Central by at least winning a couple of games in this series.

If you haven't figured it out, the White Sox have a case of penal envy when it comes to the Twins.  Here's a team that every year loses one or two really good players to free agency, yet somehow keeps replacing them with quality youngsters.  This year, the Twinkies pitching staff has been devastated by injuries, yet they just kept trotting guys out there who could pitch.  At one point in August, no one thought the Twins would be around in September, yet, here they sit just three games behind Detroit with twelve games left.

With the hip injury to Pink Gavin Floyd, the Sox are forced to use rookie Daniel Hudson as a starter tonight.  This will be his audition for either the fifth starter job next year or long relief in the bullpen.  With Aaron Poreda being shipped to San Diego, Hudson becomes the most prized pitching prospect in the Sox system.  We've seen some solid flashes of him in relief, now we'll see him start.

Daniel, here's some free advice: This is not a critical game for the White Sox.  They are done for the year.  Just go out, have fun and pitch.  Don't worry about "keeping hope alive."  There is no hope, only darkness, so just enjoy your moment and realize, win or lose, it makes no difference as far as the division is concerned.  Don't let anyone, Ozzie, Coop, your teammates tell you different.

Lightning Round

• You know, as tough a year as it has been for the Sox, I'm thinking sucks to be a Cub fan thank you, Captain Obvious).  With rumors of trades on the North side run rampant, I wouldn't touch either Milton Bradley or Carlos Zambrano with ten foot poles. If Bradley could hit like he could whine, both parties would be a lot happier right now.  Of course, somewhere out there, a Cub blogger is cooking up a Bradley for Alex Rios deal which is like trading Canadian money for Confederate money.
• For all of you that bemoaned the departure of Joe Crede, moan no more.  He's undergoing more back surgery.  Those that suggested that the turf in the Twinkie Dome would take it's toll on Crede's back, please collect your prizes on the way out.
• Former Cub Shawon Dunston has filed an objection to the sale of the team in federal bankruptcy court because he claims the Cubs owe him money for college.  You'd think there would be a statute of limitations on that considering Dunston was drafted in the mid-eighties.
• Some of the kids can play.  Here's Larry with the ones who can't (South Sox)