The current AL Central Standings

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The AL Central Standings if you removed the games against the Mariners.

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I know this isn't really news, we all know that the M's have been terrible (or at least had terrible luck) against the White Sox, and the reverse has been true against the Tigers. But considering at the beginning of the year the Tigers were the run away favorite for the Central division, and the White Sox have been somewhat of a surprise, I wondered how much the M's had actually affected the top of the Standings. Without the M's sticking their noses into the AL Central's playoff race, the Tigers would have a slight lead on the White Sox, but would not be running away with the division that everyone wanted to hand them at the beginning of the season. And certainly, at this point in August no one expected the White Sox to be atop the central, except Mariner fans. Because for us, the White Sox are nigh unbeatable.

Alas, as much as the Tigers might like it, you cannot remove games from the standings. Nor can you remove them from your memories, because I'm sure most of us wish we could have all 3 series with the White Sox expunged from our brains, Eternal Sunshine style.

Just add this to the growing list of ways the Mariners messed with Doug Fister. I wonder if Doug Fister thinks the Mariners hate him. And honestly, I wouldn't blame him if he did.

*3 more games left to play against the Twins.