For the first time since 2008, the Chicago White Sox will make a postseason appearance after their 4-3 win over the Minnesota Twins on Thursday afternoon at Guaranteed Rate Field.
It’s only the tenth postseason appearance in the history of the franchise, but with the amazing young talent on the roster it could be the start of many more in the next several years.
The Sox took three out of four games against the Twins and now the national media can not help but sit in awe of the team’s accomplishment.
A year ago today, they were 21 games under .500 and 28 games behind the 1st place Twins.
For a time Thursday afternoon it looked like the Sox might have to wait another day to clinch a playoff spot. They trailed 3-2 in the 7th inning, but the team’s normally explosive bats relied on hustle and guile to take the lead.
Jarrod Dyson began things with a single and then easily stole second. He advanced to third on a Tim Anderson grounder and then Yasmani Grandal drew a two-out walk.
It looked like the inning was over when Jose Abreu hit a grounder to deep short, but Abreu beat the shortstop’s throw and Dyson tied the game.
Eloy Jimenez followed with an RBI double and the Sox took the 4-3 lead. Codi Heur got the win and Alex Colome the save.
One thing we’re learning about this White Sox team is that they are unfazed by being behind in games.
Meanwhile, the Twins’ Josh Donaldson made a boneheaded move that got him tossed from the game immediately after hitting a home run.
Donaldson and plate umpire Dan Bellino argued a strike call the pitch before the home run.
Right now, it’s the young White Sox who are playing with the poise of a champion and the Twins who are behaving like adolescents.