The streak is over and the Chicago White Sox are getting ready for the familiar faces and places of the American League after a dominating 15-3 record in interleague play.

The Sox are well aware that after an emotional series against the Cubs, guarding against a let down is a must.  Kansas City has been playing better under new manager Ned Yost and the Sox will get to find that out first hand tonight at Kaufman Stadium.

The Sox are 1½ games behind slumping Minnesota and a game behind second place Detroit. So, they are in the race.  And contrary to the remaining disbelievers, this team will do just find against the American League.  It is as good as it's starting pitching and as long as everyone pulls their weight, everything will be just fine.

Something else you should be aware of: The White Sox are only 5½ games behind in the wild card standings, which also has some significance in how this season plays out.  Boston leads the pack, but have just lost catcher Victor Martinez for an extended period with a broken thumb.  Tampa is a game out, but they are having issues and may be forced to move B.J. Upton because of his repeated team offenses, like fighting in the dugout with teammate Eva Evan Longoria.  The Angels are 3½ out and could win the west if Texas, who the Sox play this weekend, have their annual summer swoon.  Detroit is 4½ out and then Toronto, who won't be around at the end, is tied with the Sox at 5½ out. As you can see, if Boston and Tampa and Texas falter, the Sox have a chance at the wild card should they not be able to win the Central.  Still, the Central is the Sox best chance at making the playoffs.

Any way you slice it, if this team continues to play like they have been (and no, I do not expect another eleven game winning streak) they'll be right their in the mix at the end.  All they need to do is keep winning series.  If they do that, it could be extra baseball in October.

Lightning Round

• Following the post game show on the Score, "The King" took over and had a caller who was whining about the 2006 trade of Aaron Rowand.  While "The King" correctly pointed out that the Sox biggest mistake in that deal was vesting so much in Brian Anderson when he was clearly not ready to be a starter, he neglected to mention the key piece in that deal: Gavin Floyd.
• I also caught part of the Cubs postgame on WGN with George Offman (who is terrific.) Some guy actually called in and defended Carlos Zambrano's actions.  Geroge dispatched him pretty quickly. 
• Former Sox broadcaster Lorn Brown passed away over the weekend at 71 .  For those of you old enough to remember (and some days, I swear I think that's just me) he did Sox games in the middle and  late seventies and middle and late eighties, sharing radio and TV with Harry Caray prior to 1982.  He was a great compliment to Harry and he was very much like the Cubs Len Kaspar, smooth and knowledgeable.  If memory serves me correctly, he was replaced by John Rooney after the 1988 season.  He was also the voice of the Chicago Cougars of the WHA for those of you who remember that.  I not only remember it, I actually went to a game at the old Chicago Amphitheater. Please consult your history books or the remaining stone tablets for details.