If the Chicago White Sox win eight of their final 12 games, they will finish 92-70. That would have been good enough to claim the American League Central crown, or a share of it, in 2001, 2003 and 2004. But for the defending World Series champions this season, 92 wins probably isn't even good enough to secure second place in the division. It may be good for nothing more than a good seat on the couch at home to watch the playoffs. A good postseason seat far from a dugout may await the White Sox after losing Monday's series opener to the Tigers, who opened a six-game bulge over the defending champs. Chicago trails Minnesota in the wild-card race by 4.5 games. In 12 seasons with the wild-card format, this will be the first time that two AL Central clubs will play in October. Is the AL Central so much better that Detroit, Minnesota and Chicago have three of the best five records in the league? Maybe so, considering the Tigers lead the AL in both lowest ERA (3.74) and lowest opponent batting average (.253), while the Twins are second in team ERA at 4.01. Pitching was the ticket for the White Sox in 2005, and it's significant that the 2006 staff has a 4.54 ERA that ranks ninth in the circuit. Or is it that the AL Central teams have inflated their records by beating up on the Royals and Indians? The Tigers are 11-1 against Kansas City and 13-6 against Cleveland for a 24-7 record. The Tigers, however, are the only contender that has benefited substantially by beating up on the division's also-rans. Minnesota is 20-14 against KC and Cleveland. Chicago is 18-17 and has gone 7-9 against the Tribe. Besides, Cleveland and KC have combined for 128 wins, six more than Baltimore and Tampa Bay have totaled at the bottom of the AL East. The Yankees, who have one more win than Detroit at 91-59, have gone 21-9 against the Orioles and Rays. The Red Sox, despite a 22-10 mark against Baltimore and Tampa Bay, have been unable to make a run for the wild card. With Detroit and Minnesota leading the league in ERA, the numbers suggest better pitching and better teams in the AL Central may cost the White Sox a chance to defend their title.