GDT: 9/29/08 - DET (74-87) AT CWS (87-74) - 2:05 p.m. ET

DETROIT -- Freddy Garcia was back in the Tigers' clubhouse when he saw the message on his phone. It was Ozzie Guillen, again.

"He texted me," Garcia said. "He said, 'It's crazy what's going on,' and stuff."

Crazy only begins to describe it.

When Garcia was still working his way back into pitching shape in July, Guillen -- Garcia's former manager with the White Sox -- openly wondered if he would be ready by the end of the season. Now, Garcia has a chance to bring the White Sox's season to a sudden end on Monday.

There might not be much animosity, but there is plenty of motivation.

"I think it'll be fun," Garcia said. "They're playing for everything. They're playing for their season. If they lose, they go home. If we win, we go home, but we knocked somebody out."

That's how many of the Tigers are choosing to look at Monday's makeup game, rescheduled from the drenching rains that wiped out back-to-back days of Detroit's last series at Chicago two weeks ago.

The Tigers' fate is already sealed. This is an extra day of travel for them before they go home for the offseason. If they have to make the trip, though, they might as well get something out of it.

"It's not every day you get a chance to knock somebody out of the playoffs," reliever Bobby Seay said. "It's a very precarious situation. I think we'll play free and easy and make the most of it. We don't have anything to lose."

Only the Twins and White Sox do. And as the Tigers pondered the possibilities while packing for the quick flight to Chicago, they weren't ignoring what the thoughts would be on the other end of the American League Central race.

"Other than not having to go," manager Jim Leyland said, "we probably have the best-case scenario. The Twins have a half-game lead. If, by chance, we lose the game, they've still got their shot [in a one-game playoff at Chicago on Tuesday]. I'm kind of glad it didn't work the other way, to be honest with you.

"Now, in saying that, we're going to do everything we can to win the game tomorrow. That's baseball, and that's what we're supposed to do. And that's what we will do."

Or as Leyland later joked: "I know one thing: Ron Gardenhire just became the biggest Jim Leyland fan in the history of baseball."

Garcia will certainly give it his best, and not just because it's his return to Chicago for the first time since he was traded to Philadelphia after the 2006 season. For Garcia, it's one more outing in the big leagues on his way to a healthy return from shoulder surgery.

Detroit signed Garcia in August, nearly a year after he underwent right labrum and rotator cuff surgery. Detroit's goal was to get a good look at where he's at in his recovery, and to give Garcia a look at the Tigers organization before he becomes a free agent this winter. His first two starts have impressed Leyland on how much he has progressed.

Garcia has built a well-deserved reputation as a big-game pitcher, including three wins in as many starts during the White Sox's run to the World Series title in 2005.

He's 6-2 with a 3.11 ERA for his career in the playoffs. This isn't the postseason, but it has those implications as Garcia prepares to face his old friends and teammates.

"I don't have anything to lose, man," Garcia said. "It'll be fun. We'll see what happens."

Asked whether he'd rather be going home for the offseason, Garcia shook his head.

"Nah," Garcia said. "I was home all season."

Nearly all the Tigers players will be going to Chicago, but the starting middle infield isn't expected to play. Placido Polanco is doubtful with a sprained left ankle suffered Friday night, and Edgar Renteria aggravated a strained left pectoral muscle on Sunday, forcing him to leave the game. If they can't go, Ramon Santiago and Ryan Raburn are expected to start in their places.

Gary Sheffield, on the other hand, is expected to start as he gets one more shot at 500 career home runs before the season ends. Sheffield's uncle, former Major League great Dwight Gooden, is expected to be on hand for the game, providing some extra motivation.



Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Freddy Garcia (1-1, 4.50 ERA)
The rotation order just worked out for Garcia to be on turn for a possible Monday outing if the game was necessary. If it is, he'll be in the curious position of having a chance to either knock his former team out of the division title or force them into a one-game playoff. All in all, it's not a bad way to end a late-season comeback from shoulder surgery that cost him more than a year off the mound. Since he was planning on starting his winter ball campaign in his native Venezuela in a few weeks, the extra work won't be a big deal.

CWS: RHP Gavin Floyd (16-8, 3.91 ERA)
Floyd almost stopped the bleeding for the White Sox again on Thursday night at the Metrodome, going in search of his 10th victory this season after a White Sox loss. Floyd allowed four runs on 11 hits over 5 2/3 innings, walking one and striking out four, but he managed to strand seven Minnesota runners. Floyd finished with a no-decision, when the bullpen couldn't hold a two-run lead. Floyd has a 2-0 record with a 4.24 ERA against Detroit this season and is 3-0 lifetime against the Tigers. Floyd will be pitching on three days' rest, having lost his last time in Kansas City following the short break.

Tidbits

Barring a three-homer game from White Sox slugger Jermaine Dye, Miguel Cabrera will hold onto the American League home run title. He would be the third Venezuelan to win a league homer title, joining Tony Armas and Andres Galarraga. ... One player who was fine with the extra game was Chicago native Curtis Granderson, who was planning to drive back home at season's end anyway. He planned on packing some of his stuff and driving over Sunday night. Granderson and Magglio Ordonez are both 5-for-17 for their careers against Floyd.

On the Internet

MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official game notes

On television
• ESPN2

On radio
• 97.1FM/1270AM

STARTING LINEUPS:

Detroit Tigers
Player AVG
:curtis: C. Granderson, CF .282
:sheff: G. Sheffield, DH .227
M. Ordonez, RF .318
M. Cabrera, 1B .292
:thames: M. Thames, LF .244
R. Raburn, 2B .230
B. Inge, 3B .203
:dusty: D. Ryan, C .317
R. Santiago, SS .289

Chicago White Sox
Player AVG
O. Cabrera, SS .283
D. Wise, LF .260
J. Dye, RF .290
J. Thome, DH .246
P. Konerko, 1B .243
K. Griffey Jr., CF .254
A. Ramirez, 2B .288
A. Pierzynski, C .281
J. Uribe, 3B .252

09/28/2008 8:40 PM ET
Year not over as Detroit visits Chicago
Sox need win for Central playoff vs. Twins; Tigers can spoil
By Matthew Leach / MLB.com

One would just have soon been done a day earlier. One is just trying to stretch the season by one more day. It's a fascinating contrast when the White Sox and Tigers play a makeup game at 2:05 p.m. ET on Monday.

Chicago has everything to play for. If the Sox win Monday's game, they force a one-game playoff for the American League Central Division championship, which would be at home on Tuesday against the Twins. Win that, and it's on to the AL Division Series against Tampa Bay. Detroit has nothing to play for in the standings, but there's always pride and the opportunity to spoil a rival's season.

Back on Friday, Sept. 12, heavy rains hit Chicago and much of the nation's midsection, and the drenching didn't let up until Sunday. For two days, U.S. Cellular Field was unplayable, forcing the Tigers and Sox to play two games on Sunday, Sept. 14 -- and leaving one game hanging.

"I'm sure they aren't real happy to have to come here and play this game," said White Sox catcher AJ Pierzynski. "I'm sure a lot of them would be hoping they would be home now. They will come in here and want to kick our tails, and we have to go out there with the same attitude and try to do it to them."

For fans, it's an extra day of baseball, and that can't be a bad thing. A day that's usually quiet on the schedule will instead bring not just a game, but a pivotal game. It can be seen on MLB.TV, so for fans across the country who want a taste of playoff-style ball before the postseason actually begins, the makeup game is a very nice appetizer.

The White Sox will be facing a pitcher, at least, who will be plenty motivated. Freddy Garcia's teammates may not want to make the trip, but Garcia is eager for the chance.

"I think it'll be fun," Garcia said. "They're playing for everything. They're playing for their season. If they lose, they go home. If we win, we go home, but we knocked somebody out."

Garcia pitched for the Sox for three years, and has a well-established relationship with Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen.

"We have to be ready for Freddy," Guillen said. "He's not going to go out there and just pitch. He's going to try to beat us. I know him real well. He's trying to show he can still pitch. I know the Detroit Tigers are going to come down here and play the game real hard. We have to be prepared for them. I'd be, too. I'm not going to fly all the way from Detroit to here to play an extra day when we should be home, and then come here and take it easy on us. They're going to make it tough."

Chicago counters with a pitcher who certainly won't mind extending his 2008 season by one more start. Gavin Floyd has enjoyed a breakout campaign, topping his previous career totals -- not highs, totals -- in wins, innings, starts and strikeouts. Floyd, who is in his fifth Major League season, is also pitching to make his first postseason.

Perhaps most notable, though, is that Floyd is pitching on short rest. He's the third straight Chicago starter to pitch on three days' rest rather than four. He's done so three previous times in his career -- twice after starts, and once after a lengthy relief appearance. Floyd is 0-1 with a 7.56 ERA in those games, and his team has lost each time.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland intends to make sure his team doesn't mail in the game. He takes the competition far too seriously, and respects both opponents -- even if they're both rivals.

"Other than not having to go, we probably have the best-case scenario," Leyland said. "The Twins have a half-game lead. If, by chance, we lose the game, they've still got their shot. I'm kind of glad it didn't work the other way, to be honest with you. Now, in saying that, we're going to do everything we can to win the game tomorrow. That's baseball, and that's what we're supposed to do. And that's what we will do."

If the White Sox had secured the American League Central by the end of the day Sunday, no game would be needed. If Chicago had been eliminated, both of Monday's squads could be thinking about tee times. But baseball's fates provided no such easy way out. The Sox trail the Twins by one-half game. Win, and the season continues. Lose, and an incredibly promising year comes to a close earlier than expected.

As recently as Tuesday, it seemed extremely unlikely that this game would be needed. The White Sox held a 2 1/2-game lead over the Twins at the start of a three-game series. But Minnesota swept, taking the half-game lead that it still holds. So the Sox have no one to blame but themselves.

"If we come out and win tomorrow then it'll feel like a new season," Sox first baseman Paul Konerko said on Sunday. "I just think the hard part is just to make sure we don't look to Tuesday night and slip up tomorrow. ... We've won a lot of ballgames this year, we just need one more tomorrow."

Matthew Leach is a reporter for MLB.com. David Just, Scott Merkin and Jason Beck contributed to this story. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Stat of the day (or something):

Miguel Cabrera needs 3 RBIs to tie Josh Hamilton for most RBIs in the AL and therefore win the RBI title. He will hit the most HRs so long as Carlos Quentin doesn't hit 2+ before the end of tomorrow and Tuesday's (if necessary) games. I don't think Quentin will be playing; however.

was it true all the big names (except for Sheff) are out of the lineup today? I still can't find a list yet...

catbox_9 wrote:

Stat of the day (or something):

Miguel Cabrera needs 3 RBIs to tie Josh Hamilton for most RBIs in the AL and therefore win the RBI title. He will hit the most HRs so long as Carlos Quentin doesn't hit 2+ before the end of tomorrow and Tuesday's (if necessary) games. I don't think Quentin will be playing; however.

Smartass

laprimamirala wrote:

was it true all the big names (except for Sheff) are out of the lineup today? I still can't find a list yet...

From what I read (and I posted it somewhere), most of our infield is messed up due to injuries.

No

injured
:placido: sprained left ankle
:edgar: aggravated a strained left pectoral muscle

past that I think the regulars will play.

From the first post--

Quote :

Nearly all the Tigers players will be going to Chicago, but the starting middle infield isn't expected to play. Placido Polanco is doubtful with a sprained left ankle suffered Friday night, and Edgar Renteria aggravated a strained left pectoral muscle on Sunday, forcing him to leave the game. If they can't go, Ramon Santiago and Ryan Raburn are expected to start in their places.

catbox_9 wrote:

Stat of the day (or something):

Miguel Cabrera needs 3 RBIs to tie Josh Hamilton for most RBIs in the AL and therefore win the RBI title. He will hit the most HRs so long as Carlos Quentin doesn't hit 2+ before the end of tomorrow and Tuesday's (if necessary) games. I don't think Quentin will be playing; however.

And Sheff only needs one more HR to have 500 career homeruns.

If I was Magglio I would have the plane up and ready to fly to Miami right after this game!

lineups are posted above

Renteria's gone, kids. See my thread in Breaking News.

64 degrees


Light Rain in Chicago right now

laprimamirala wrote:

Renteria's gone, kids. See my thread in Breaking News.

He may still be a Tiger next year, just at a lower pay rate... by free agency.

Right...it's just that the article sounded kinda doubtful.

Rain Delay...

Darn!

I was so excited, because it's on ESPN360.com

one-hour rain delay....

laprimamirala wrote:

one-hour rain delay....

I hope it keeps raining


Trying to leave work early so I can watch it on TV

Ha! I just got nudged by a Sox troll on the other board!!
booooooooooooooooooo

Just got home; Watching ESPN


The tarp is still on the field

They should have played at Comerica

No rain here

that means it's headed our way!

laprimamirala wrote:

that means it's headed our way!

Not Quite;

It could go North or us or weaken


Supposed to have some showers later tonight

and scattered showers on Tuesday

This is a long ass rain delay

If it were not a division deciding game; it would have been postponed by now

Rain Delays Suck


Have sat through my share at Comerica Park

Tarp is still on the field

Fall be here later this week after this front goes thru

Stupid rain Why is it raining? It's September for 's sake.

laprimamirala wrote:

Fall be here later this week after this front goes thru

Too late to wear my Jackets at Comerica Park


It will never be cold there for a Tigers Game Again

catbox_9 wrote:

Stupid rain Why is it raining? It's September for 's sake.

Should have played it in Detroit


Nice and Dry