I would have liked the Sox to sweep the Tigers, but 2 out of 3 ain’t bad. That means Chicago has beaten the front running Tigers for the 4th time in their last 6 meetings.

Justin Verlander and Max Scherzers numbers in the two games: 14 innings, 14 hits and 6 earned runs and 15 strike outs.

Jake Peavy and John Danks numbers in the same two games: 12 innings, 16 hits, 5 earned runs and 16 strike outs. I’d say the Sox came out slightly ahead.

For the first time, maybe this year, the Sox were led by the two guys that they expected to lead them this year, Adam Dunn and Paul Konerko . At least in Tuesdays game, the pair went 3-8, each hitting a home run, while driving in two runs. If those 2 could get hot at the same time, the central is theirs for the taking. Dunn kept it going in Wednesday’s game as well, going 1-1, but taking 3 walks. Hey, he’s getting on base, give him a break.

The Sox pen was also dominant in the final 2 games. 6 innings, 1 hit and 1 earned run. I still think the Sox could use another righty in the pen–haha.

John Danks is the best started the Sox have. Buehrle and Peavy are above average in most starts, but Danks can be dominant every start. His ball moves more than any pitcher on the Sox. I stood about 10 feet from him in the spring, and not one ball he threw was straight. He owned Detroit on Wednesday, finishing with 10 k’s, while allowing only 1 run in 6 innings. Since coming off the DL, Danks has allowed just 1 run in 13 innings. He should have 5 wins, but the Sox pen couldn’t hold the Royals down last week. Does anyone remember that he started 0-8?

Juan Pierre has come to play in the 2nd half. So far he is hitting .333 since the mid season classic. If it wasn’t for the ofer he took in Cleveland a few days ago, he would have a hit in all 11 games post break. All told, he would be on a 17 game hitting streak. Right now it’s a 4 game streak.

Alex Rios days as the starting center fielder are over, for now. Rios, who is making a over 12 million dollars this year, has been slumping since day 1, can’t be happy with the move. His play on Monday was embarrassing, showing little hustle, or interest in the game. Unless the Sox pay his entire salary, he is virtually guaranteed to be on the Sox.

The guy they recalled in Alejandro De Aza. I interviewed De Aza a couple years ago, and it was one of the more humorous one’s I have ever done. He spoke little english, I speak little, to no spanish. There were a lot of good’s, como’s & dondes thrown around. Fun guy though, as was a sport about our non-communication.

So De Aza is your new center fielder, and he made quite a splash on Wednesday, hitting a a game winning 2-run home run to give the Sox the rubber game. That was De Aza’s first career 4-bagger. Great timing for the guy. Sox now trail the Tigers by 3.5 games (again).

The Sox get another test on Friday as the Red Sox come to town. The White Sox swept the Red Sox in Boston back in May/June, outscoring the beantowners 24-14. Chicago has won 4 of the past 7 home games against Boston.

Go Sox!