(670 The Score) While the White Sox have taken a big step forward in their rebuild by clinching a playoff berth, make no mistake – their goal is much bigger.
"If we don't win the World Series, then we've never really done what we came to do," ace Lucas Giolito said Tuesday before the White Sox visited the Indians. "I thought making the postseason was a good step in the right direction. But now that we are here, why not go out and win the whole thing?"
Coming off a 72-win season, the White Sox weren't picked by many prognosticators to supplant the reigning AL Central champion Twins, but that's what they have the chance to do this week. Chicago led Minnesota by 1.5 games entering play Tuesday evening and was two clear in the loss column.
The White Sox now feel they're ready to compete with anyone with the playoffs, which begin next week with a best-of-three wild-card round series.
"We just need to play the kind of baseball that has had us winning so many games," Giolito said. "Starting pitcher doing a solid job and getting as deep into the game as he can. That gives the team a good chance to win. The offense continuing to do what they have done, leading some of the rankings in the American League. The defense has been great. They need to keep it up.
We need to put it all together and keep firing on all cylinders. After that, the sky is the limit from there."
As dominant as the White Sox have been at times with an AL-best plus-72 run differential, nothing will come easy in the playoffs. The White Sox were 2-5 against the Indians through Monday night and could face them in a wild-card round series.
"The goal is certainly to move deeper into the playoffs," manager Rick Renteria said. "It is not just about getting in. We want to accomplish the ultimate goal. We want to get through and go as far as anyone else. We all are the same page and want that. We still have a lot of things to take care of today. The ultimate goal is what everyone wants."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
