Beckham Makes A Push

A combination of a superb Jake Peavy, an uncharacteristically great bullpen, a Brandon Inge error and a Beckham home run culminated in a win for the White Sox, staving off elimination for another day.

While it's still, amazingly, statistically possible for the White Sox to win the division, realistically it's over. The Tigers and Twins have a four game series left. If the Tigers win at all, the White Sox are eliminated. If the Twins end up winning all four of those games, the White Sox are eliminated. The writing is etched on the wall. This season is ovah!

There's still a lot of positives to be found. In last night's game, Jake Peavy continued to make Sox fans salivate for 2010. Gordon Beckham broke up a no-hitter by belting a two run homer. It will be moments like that home run that will propel Beckham to the American League Rookie of the Year.

I have a much better feeling about 2010. The pieces are falling into place and I'm beginning to see what needs to be taken care of and what just needed to find footing during this season. The infield needed this season to gel. They are finally ready for everyday play. The outfield needed to be solved, especially center field. I think that's been solved, despite the recent plate struggles.

If Podsednik is retained, he will have to go to baserunning classes during the winter. If not, expect Figgins to appear in a White Sox uniform. We will finally see what a healthy Carlos Quentin can do for a full season next year. Freddy Garcia has pretty much locked up the fifth starter spot for 2010, with a few rookies waiting in the wings.

As for the offseason, moves will be made. What those moves are, only Kenny Williams knows for sure. The one thing that definitely needs to be done? Fumigation. Something has to get rid of that virus that permeated the clubhouse causing the batters to operate daily without hitting. If they exorcise the hitless demons in the clubhouse, they will prevail in 2010.