Top Ten Things Learned From Crosstown Classic

After an up and down two weekends of baseball (unless you root for both teams like Danny Sheridan) interleague play and the "Crosstown Classic" is done for another season. Although I dislike interleague play after 10 years its probably time I get used to it and accept it for what it is; a cash cow. As the White Sox and Cubs both remain in first place here are ten things that fans learned about their teams as the stretch run begins.

10. It takes a 25 man roster to win a title

Now this may seem like a "dumb point" but the importance of depth and managerial approach was in full effect for both weekend series. Both teams were missing star sluggers in Alfonso Soriano and Paul Konerko yet managed to put up at least 21 runs in their home stands, meaning a balanced offensive effort. We also saw the emergence of younger players like Eric Patterson in weekend one, and Alexei Ramirez in weekend two. It's going to take a team effort to reach the division title.

9. The crowd was way too tame this year

Having been to at least one Cubs-Sox game every season and over 30 total I can confidently say that this season saw the tamest version of the crowd that I have been apart of. Now granted I really don't care what the Cubs do the rest of the season but it's fun to good-naturedly bicker back and forth over a few beers about some baseball. Not much of that seemed to be going on this weekend, even after sweeps in both series. It was as if both fan bases want the division and bigger things more than a stupid interleague play series, a refreshing thought.

8. The Freddy the Mercenary Curse

My colleague and die-hard Cubs fan Freddy the Mercenary posted Friday about how the Cubs would once again sweep the White Sox. Well obviously that wasn't the case and to make matters worse Fred once requested the month of October off to "watch the Cubbies in the World Series" back in late May. If it doesn't happen, just don't say I didn't warn ya.

7. The joy that is Alexei Ramirez

I find it utterly impossible to not call Ramirez my favorite White Sox player and I know plenty of other fans who feel the same way. The 26-year-old Cuban defect is having a tremendous rookie season and continually makes fantastic plays at second base while also hitting .372 in the month of June.

6. Aramis Ramirez: What Happened?

After going on an absolute tear in series one, Aramis managed to go 0-13 in the series on the South Side to drop his road batting average to a very mediocre .247. With Derrek Lee producing some good games in this series he had to have someone like Daryle Ward (coming off the DL) or Ramirez produce behind him to win and that didn't happen.

5. Little things win ballgames

While I have been in awe a lot of times with the Cubs ability to do little things to win games this weekend they made a lot of mental mistakes. Sunday in particular saw Fukudome throw to third base when Dye would clearly make it, allowing Thome into second base, as well as two guys getting doubled off of second base on lineouts. Now lineouts can be a thing of luck, but for the same thing to basically happen twice is inexcusable. Lou Pinella also seems particularly disgusted with the Cubs play this week as he only seems to explode when they are playing poorly. With six games on the road this week it will be interesting to see how the Cubs play.

4. Both teams need another arm (or two)

It is obvious that both teams need add at least an arm or two before October in order to compete. The Cubs need another frontline starter like C.C. Sabathia to close out their rotation while the White Sox likely need another arm in the pen and possibly another starter. While both pitching staffs have been good by and large injuries happen and players lose their arms. Sox set-up guys Octavio Dotel and Scott Linebrink have both struggled in the second half of seasons before so that is something to watch for.

3. Home Runs, Home Runs, Home Runs

Home runs will carry these teams as far as they can go. Without true lead-off hitters the Cubs and Sox often rely on their big bats to drive in runs in their hitter friendly parks. Although not armed with a "traditional lead-off hitter" both the Cubs and Sox do have guys who can post good at bats and see a lot of pitches. Fukudome and DeRosa in particular do a good job in this department for the Cubs (exemplified by DeRosa's outstanding at-bat that resulted in a double off Bobby Jenks Sunday) and Nick Swisher is leading the American League in pitches seen per at-bat even though his average still hovers around .240. You need guys like this to wear down pitchers, get on base and be there for your big guns to deliver.

2. Look over your shoulder, here comes trouble

The Twins, Tigers, Cardinals and Brewers all start this morning within five games of our beloved Chicago teams. As I mentioned earlier in my fans seemed tame point, it was as if both fans cared more about holding off the divisional opponents then winning a basic crosstown series. Of course it was nice to get a little revenge on the Cubs but it was more important to stay ahead of the Twins then anything. And Cubs fans, if Ned Yost somehow learns to manage a pitching staff and bullpen (very unlikely, but humor me) then this could be a very interesting race.

1. The Cubs and Sox are both mediocre on the road

To get to the World Series it will take some road wins to get there. Good teams win on the road and after watching both the north side and south side look mostly helpless for some games it is safe to say that the road has been an unkind place. The Cubs now stand 16-23 on the road while the White Sox aren't much better at 19-24. Now only the Angels are dominating on the road but it remains an important point that you need to close out opponents at their ballpark to be an elite team. This week in particular could make for an interesting week for the Cubs as they have six games away from Wrigley Field. Let the hunt for October begin!