[Lefty Noob]

With a sweep of the Detroit Tigers over the weekend, the Chicago White Sox are now just 5 1/2 games out of first place and charging. How long until the Sox take over the AL Central division lead?

[MJHMarc]

It can definitely happen. The Tigers just have to pick off where they left off before the All-Star break. Verlander has to remain dominant and the Tigers have to succeed as a team.

[EmpireWF]

It will certainly be an interesting race for the next month and couple of weeks or so. With the Red Sox lurking behind them, you can't be complacent and simply fall back on a Wild Card spot.

The winner of the division will likely end up playing Oakland (or the AL West Division winner) if the wildcard comes from the central. If the wildcard comes from the east, the central division winner will probably play said wildcard team.

The Tigers have some key series' coming up in the next few weeks with the White Sox, Yankees and Angels (not to mention right now against the Red Sox) so the White Sox may have a leg up.

[MJHMarc]

The Tigers definitely have some big-time games down the stretch, but if they win they just prove to the fans that they have what it takes to win the World Series. It is training for this season, or maybe they will have to go home and wait for next season. Preperation for the unexpected.

The White Sox have some edge here, but we will have to wait and see how they perform. They aren't as good as they were last year, but still championship potential.