NOTEBOOK | From Jacobs Field

Pitching prowess: Cleveland entered Saturday's game with the lowest overall ERA in the American League (3.61), the lowest bullpen ERA (2.86) and the individual ERA leader in Kevin Millwood, whose ERA of 2.86 is slightly better than Twins starter Johan Santana (2.92). Santana is scheduled to pitch today against Detroit. "From day one, the pitchers have carried us," outfielder Casey Blake said. "They're the reason we're even in this position." Rick Sutcliffe (2.96) was the last Indian to win the ERA title, doing it in 1982. Cleveland last won an ERA title in 1996 (3.43). "The starting pitching and the bullpen have really been the story of our team," Indians manager Eric Wedge said. "They've kept us in ball games."
Strange statistic: The Indians not only set a team record for most one-run losses with 36, they have not lost a game by more than two runs since Aug. 24 when the lost to Tampa Bay 13-3. Cleveland's last six losses have been by one run. When he was told about the trend, Blake shook his head. "That's pretty frustrating," he said.
White Sox rest: With the American League Central already clinched and home field throughout the playoffs assured, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen started backups Timo Perez, Ross Gload, Geoff Blum and Pablo Ozuna on Saturday after starting seven non-regulars on Friday. Chicago will make its seventh postseason appearance and first since 2000. The White Sox have not won a playoff series since winning the World Series in 1917. Because the White Sox are in the same division as the Indians, they could not play Cleveland until the ALCS. No wild card team has ever come out of the Central.
Streaking Chicago: After a late season slump, the White Sox have now won seven of their last nine games. Chicago starters are 6-1 with a 1.94 ERA over their last 10 games.
Today's game: Indians pitcher Scott Elarton (11-8, 4.51) is scheduled to face White Sox rookie Brandon McCarthy (2-2, 4.21) at 1:05 p.m. Elarton is 1-1 with a 4.26 ERA against Chicago this season. Elarton got the win in his last outing against Chicago, an 8-0 win at Cellular Field on Sept. 21. McCarthy has never faced the Indians. He is 2-1 with a 1.24 ERA over his last four starts.
Joe Scalzo