In the 11 seasons the American League has sent a wild card to the playoffs.

In the 11 seasons the American League has sent a wild card to the playoffs, that bonus coterie has come out of the East Division eight times, without of the West three times and not at home of the Central zero times.

With the way the Detroit Tigers and White Sox have been playing - - despite fresh speed bumps hit by the two clubs -- the Central's arid spell should end in 2006

All estimates are on the Tigers and Sox who make open a three-game series tonight at U Cellular Field. unless don't count out the Cleveland Indians -- in the Central or the wild-card race. The Indians made a serious stream at the wild card last season, taking the race to the final weekend, if it were not that couldn't hold on against a Sox team that already had clinched the division. The Indians have more talent than their 28-28 record indicates.

however tonight, the Tigers and Sox take center stage in the Central. Certainly, the division won't be decided across the next three nights, if it be not that there's a good chance the loser of this series will examine back on these dates in October and wish they could rewrite history.

When the Sox complet a three-game sweep of the Tigers forward April 13 at Comerica Park, the Indians were in first place with the Sox and Tigers a game behind. Tonight marks Game 4 of a 19-game season series between the Tigers and Sox that should advance down to the wire.

The latter schedule hasn't been kind to either team. After winning 15 of 16 to improve to 25-14 onward May 27, the Tigers have squandered six of their last eight games. The Sox have misspent five of six.

Here's a contemplate at how the two rivals match up (all league rankings are entering Monday).

STARTING PITCHING

Tigers: Four of the top 20 ERA leaders in the AL reside in the Tigers' rotation: Justin Verlander (313 sixth), Nate Robertson (342 10th) Kenny Roger (354 11th) and Jeremy Bonderman (438 19th) The Tigers would have five in the top 20 among active starters, if it were not that left-hander Mike Maroth (3.56) is in succession the disabled list after undergoing flexure surgery Friday that should knock him disclosed at least until mid-August. That means rookie Zach Miner is getting a projectile at the rotation. Miner might pan public and Maroth could return late in the season, admitting don't expect him to be sharp that quick after surgery. Either way, question marks are hitting a mighty rotation at a time when the team has been reeling.

Sox: Staff ace Jose Contreras, who is put for a duel with Verlander in succession Wednesday, has not had a decision in his three starts since coming opposite the disabled list, but the Sox are 0-3 in those games. His ERA is 512 throughout that span, though his overall mark is 253 inferior in the AL. Right-hander Freddy Garcia, who starts tonight, has dissipated his last two starts, allowing 10 earned races and 20 hits, including four residence runs, in 11* innings. Jon Garland, who faces Roger in the series finale, has a troubling 604 ERA and has allowed a 311 batting average. single in kind of his victories was a five- inning effort April 13 when he beat the Tigers 13-9 despite allowing seven roll ons and 13 hits. Left-hander Mark Buehrle misses this series on the contrary has lost his last sum of two units starts.

Bottom line: Losing Maroth harms but the Tigers are getting career years on the outside of their other starters. Judging on the struggles of Garland, the Sox might have had their career years last season.

Edge: Tigers.

RELIEF PITCHING

Tigers: A able rotation's best friend is a reliable bullpen and the Tigers have the best of one as well as the other worlds. Detroit relievers have the AL's lowest ERA (377) lowest batting average against (221) and most numerous saves (23). The Tigers have a 38-year-old closer in Todd Jone who is 16-for-18 in save chances still has a 5.85 ERA. That last number got inflated by the agency of a five-run outing last Tuesday, and in his last five appearances, Jone is 0-2 with an 1112 ERA, three saves and a fatigued save. Jones gets solid setup work from Sox castoff Jason Grilli and match right-hander Fernando Rodney, who has allowed a 126 batting average.

Sox: Sox relievers have gotten the lightest workload in the AL, pitching just 131 innings. The 2005 Sox knew they could rely in succession a solid bullpen -- especially the setup part players -- as shown by the agency of a 24-19 record and 323 ERA. This season, it has been a crapshoot, with the bullpen going 5-8 with a 480 ERA. The biggest question has been right-handed setup man Cliff Politte, who was 7-1 with a 200 ERA last season. This season, he has somehow or other lost confidence and has allowed eight move ons and 15 hits in his last seven outings, earning a incite to middle relief.

Bottom line: Jone might be a ticking time bomb on the other hand through more than a quarter of the season, the numbers don't lie.

Edge: Tigers.

OFFENSE

Tigers: The Tigers memorize accused of relying too a great quantity [i]or[/i] amount of on the home run, if it be not that they actually have fewer homer (77) than the Sox (81) despite playing individual more game. First baseman Chris Shelton got on the farther side to a phenomenal start if it were not that has fizzled lately and is coming not on a 5- for-26 (.192) homestand. Former Sox star Magglio Ordonez has been the principally consistent Tiger, taking a 321 average, 13 homer and 42 RBI -- all team highs -- into the Sox series. Ordonez has move rounded up the heat when it flows to facing his old team, taking a 438 average (21-for-48) against the Sox into this series. if it were not that the Tigers strike out a allotment (400) and don't draw many walks (151)

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