Because of a sore elbow, Gavin Floyd hasn't pitched for the White Sox since the 26th of August. Gavin Floyd hasn't pitched effectively for the Chicago White Sox since the 15th of August. Gavin Floyd hasn't pitched wonderfully for the Chicago White Sox since the 26th of June, when he pitched seven shutout innings and struck out nine Twins.

Still, the White Sox must be happy to have him back, as Floyd is slated to return to the rotation Wednesday night against the Tigers, in the third game of what seems like the Sox' biggest series of the season. Floyd might be in a position to pitch the White Sox into sole possession of first place, or he might be in position to give his club a five-game lead in the A.L. Central. Which would be a lot of games.

The thing is, though, that Floyd really hasn't pitched real well this season. Even before his last two outings, neither of which of which went even three full innings, Floyd's ERA was 4.43, his strikeout rate his worst in recent memory. But do you know who's been worse this season? Francisco Liriano, originally scheduled for Wednesday night's start. Maybe Liriano will be pushed back, and remain in the rotation somehow. After all, Hector Santiago's been pressed into service lately, and doesn't have the stamina to pitch more than five innings.

But that's a problem for another day. If you're the White Sox, you sleep better Tuesday night, knowing that Gavin Floyd is starting in a big game and Francisco Liriano isn't.