After dropping their series opener in Detroit, the White Sox' next two games vs. the last-place Tigers were must-win affairs.
The White Sox took care of business and secured the series win Sunday, which magnifies the stakes for their series this coming week against first-place Cleveland.
The Sox will enter that series no more than four games back of the Guardians, who will wrap up a five-game series against the Twins Monday.
Should the Guardians lose to Minnesota, the three-game series against the Sox could end with a tie for first place.
Here's all you need to know about the division race with less than three weeks left in the regular season.
Sunday’s results
White Sox 11, Tigers 5
After scoring a combined six runs Friday and Saturday, the White Sox’ bats broke out for 12 hits and three home runs Sunday. Andrew Vaughn delivered the big blow with a grand slam in the fifth inning to break things open.
Vince Velasquez allowed two runs in a four-inning spot start, and Tanner Banks picked up a three-inning save.
Twins 3, Guardians 0
The Guardians only mustered three hits following a long day of baseball Saturday in which they swept their doubleheader over the Twins.
AL Central standings (through Sunday)
1. Guardians: 79-67
2. White Sox: 76-71 (3 1/2 games back)
3. Twins: 73-73 (6 games back)
Head-to-head records (tiebreaker)
Guardians: 12-6 vs. Twins (clinched tiebreaker), 9-7 vs. White Sox
Magic number
The Guardians' magic number to clinch the division is 13.
Remaining schedules
Guardians (16 games): vs. Twins (one), at White Sox (three), at Rangers (three), vs. Rays (three), vs. Royals (six)
White Sox (15 games): vs. Guardians (three), vs. Tigers (three), at Twins (three), at Padres (three), vs. Twins (three)
Twins (16 games): at Guardians (one), at Royals (three), vs. Angels (three), vs. White Sox (three), at Tigers (three), at White Sox (three)