The Chicago White Sox have trailed the AL Central by as many as twelve games this season.  They've been under .500 since mid-April.  Yet, since mid-May, they have the fourth best record in baseball, playing at a .606 clip.

The Minnesota Twins have had a bevy of injuries and shaky relief pitching.  Normally at the top looking down at the AL Central, the Twinkies are looking way up from the bottom, thirteen games below .500 and 9½ games behind the Indians and Tigers.

The series that begins tonight at Target Field is of urgent importance to both combatants.  For the Sox, winning at least two of three gets them back to.500 and possibly a game or two closer to the division lead.  For the Twinkies, the series could be the start of their ascension in the standings.  Let's face it, Cleveland is about ready for a fork and Detroit is the team to beat.  Both of these teams stand huge gains by winning this series.

For the White Sox, there is added incentive.  For once, the White Sox could put the dagger in the black heart of a team that has owned them the last few years.  If the road to a division title runs through Minnesota, then the Sox need to put up a road block. 

They also need to send a message to their fan base.  I, for one, am tired of getting all jazzed up for a series against the Twinkies only to have the White Sox get swept.  I'm tired of it.  Damn tired of it.  I want these guys gone, out of the race and trading key players by the end of this month.  I do not want to see this series the one that awakes the sleeping giant. 

There have been too many times in recent history where a Sox-Twins series was the point in the season where the Sox were put on life support.  It's time for the Sox to show baseball they can beat the Twinkies and be part of the post season discussion.

You want us to drink the all-in kool-aid, boys?  Stop talking the talk and start walking the walk against the Twinkies.