Jake Peavy took his next step toward joining the White Sox starting rotation Thursday night, as he made a rehab start with the Charlotte Knights. He went three innings, struck out five and gave up no runs on one hit with one walk in a 5-3 win over Pawtucket. He threw 43 pitches, 26 of which were strikes.

Of course, the results really don't matter for Peavy at this stage. His health is what's important. We'll see if he remains on schedule to make his next rehab start, which would come next Tuesday night.

Peavy's target return date is Aug. 28 against the Yankees. Can the Sox stay close to the top of the division until then? They currently sit 2.5 games behind the Detroit Tigers, and their next nine games are against last-place teams: Three at Oakland, three vs. Kansas City and three vs. Baltimore.

Normally, I would say that is favorable scheduling, but the Sox have been terrible versus these bad teams.

Sox vs. Oakland: 1-3
Sox vs. Kansas City: 6-6
Sox vs. Baltimore: 3-3
Total: 10-12

The Sox are almost better off playing good teams than playing against these dregs. Nevertheless, I'd say the Sox better go at least 6-3 during this stretch if they have designs on winning a division title this season.