So they’re going to play that make-up game against the Tigers tomorrow because 88 wins apparently isn’t enough to win even this crappy division. By way of comparison, only 9 of 90 divisional races have ended any more weakly since the adoption of the three-division format:

• 2008 NL West; Dodgers (84-78)
• 2007 NL Central; Cubs (85-77)
• 2006 NL Central; Cardinals (83-79)
• 2005 NL West; Padres (82-80)
• 2000 AL East; Yankees (87-74)
• 1997 AL Central; Indians (86-75)
• 1997 NL Central; Astros (84-78)
• 1995 AL West; Mariners (76-66, translates to 86-76 in a full season)
• 1994 AL West; Rangers (52-62, translates to 73-89 in a full season)

It’s somewhat interesting to note how two of those teams – the ’00 Yankees and ’06 Cardinals – went on to win the World Series, and a third (’97 Indians) took the pennant, so having a lousy season isn’t the end of the world. At the same time, if inherently flawed squads of seasons past are the model for what the Sox have to aspire to, maybe that tells us all we need to know about where these White Sox stand.

One more win, and suddenly they’re looking shoulder-to-shoulder with those magical 1996 Cardinals.