It’s been a rough last two days for Sox fans. If tonight’s game in Boston is a repeat of either of the last two, I fully expect Ozzie Guillen to punch Wally during the seventh inning. The Twins are now tied with the White Sox in second place, and the Sox’ chance at making the playoffs is just 13 percent.

It’s far from over — four games back isn’t insurmountable, and the Sox have six games with Detroit the last ten days of their season — but the Sox are up against the Yankees after this, then those pesky Twins, then the Red Sox yet again. As others wrote earlier this week, this stretch will test the Sox’ resolve and is going to either make or break their season. So far, it’s been all breaking. Unless the Sox put a serious run together, it’s going to be very difficult to capture the division title.

But you know what? If the Sox fall short, and finish over .500, I’ll consider this season a success.

Remember this: the South Siders weren’t supposed to do anything this season. Baseball Prospectus predicted they’d finish dead last in the AL Central. They were old, broken down, the pitching staff wasn’t going to cut it. I suppose they still are sort of old and broken down. (Jose Contreras, Jim Thome.) I suppose the back end of the staff hasn’t cut it. I suppose their division isn’t very good, and it’s allowed to be in the position they are now.

Yet, we’re nearly into the last month of the season and the Sox still have a chance.

And there’s also an infusion of quality youth now: Gordon Beckham, the addition of Jake Peavy and Alex Rios (both 28), Carlos Quentin (when he’s healthy) and Alexei Ramirez, though maddening here and there, has recovered from a rough start.

I hate to already count the Sox out of it, but if that’s the case: I’m OK with it.

This team is going to be exciting to watch next year, and for years to come.