One last game to determine who plays the Tampa Bay Rays for the American League Championship.

The visiting team has won every game so far. The White Sox are hoping that pattern continues. 

The reason to root for Chicago to win is the story of an amazing turnaround. The team that lost 121 games two seasons ago and 102 games last year, won 84 games this year and is now fighting for a chance to go to the World Series. From 40 wins to 84 wins in two years. (The Rangers, meanwhile, are headed the other way.) 

The reason to root for Cleveland is it would make three of the four teams left in the playoffs being small market teams. It weakens the owners’ narrative that small market teams simply cannot compete. It’s not the size of the market or the size of the payroll. It’s the size of the roster building knowledge.

So, let the best team win. Let’s just hope it’s a nail biter going down to the last out. That’s the best kind of baseball. 

*****