(670 The Score) The White Sox have accomplished the first of several lofty goals they have for this 2021 season.
Chicago clinched the American League Central crown by beating Cleveland, 7-2, on the road Thursday afternoon in the opener of a doubleheader. It marked the White Sox’s first division title since 2008, when they won a tiebreaking Game 163 against the Twins to win the AL Central.
This time, Chicago had far more cushion in the division race. The White Sox have clinched with 10 days remaining in the regular season, meaning they’ll have plenty of time to line up their playoff rotation and balance rest with staying sharp.
The White Sox (86-66) are close to a lock to land No. 3 seed in the AL playoff race, and they’re currently in line to play the AL West-leading Astros (91-61) in the AL Division Series. There’s an outside chance the Astros could chase down the Rays (94-59) for the top seed in the AL. Houston trailed Tampa Bay by 2.5 games entering play Thursday.
The White Sox have now earned playoff berths in back-to-back seasons, the first time in franchise history they’ve done that. Chicago earned a wild-card berth in the shortened 2020 season before losing to Oakland in the opening round.