We don't HAVE to win either series against Minnesota and Chicago.
We are in excellent shape if we win two against the Twins and one against the White Sox.
Presently, we are four games ahead of both in the loss column. Winning two vs the Twins and one vs Chicago would put us three ahead of both, but having the tie breaker would make it a virtual four games...right back where we are right now.
And we would have twelve games left, including those six at home vs KC at the end. If we won four of those twelve games...just four games...it means that for either of the other two to win the division, they would have to go undefeated against non Cleveland teams the rest of the way, beginning with Chicagos series vs Detroit this week end.
Its not impossible, but its difficult to imagine losing eight games vs Texas, Tampa, and KC. Its far more likely that we would be in a situation in which Tito would be able to reset the rotation to be best prepared for the post season and rest everybody.