June 2008
Streaky Sox
The last two weeks of the White Sox season is what we have got used too this year. A week ago the Sox had a 6 game winning streak and this past week the Sox dropped 5 out of 6 games. However this is a pattern the Sox seem to keep getting into but, even with that the Sox still look good for a AL central title.
The Sox still stand 41/2 games up on Minnesota despite the bad week which should get the players motivated for this upcoming week. Despite the Sox inconsistencies the Sox have not lost much of their lead and with another winning streak could put more space between them and the rest of the pack.
With Paul Konerko going down I say this may be a good thing for the lineup which struggles to get runs in consistently. Konerko has been part of the problem struggling with runners in scoring position and maybe a couple weeks off could get him back into better form and perhaps a different attitude. The problem has not been the hitting but timely hitting which prevents the White Sox form winning consistently. The pitching has been repaired from last year and as long as it holds up, should still carry this team into the dog days of summer. All the Sox need is maybe another winning streak before the All-Star break and then even a sub par second half should get them into the playoffs and a AL central title.
This team has too many good players not to be winning most of the their games and I believe this should carry them through these winning and losing streaks. A much younger team might have gotten so frustrated with the play that they have put out there so far and struggled even more. The Sox do have a veteran lineup and that could be enough to get the job done.
I do not see Kenny Williams making any drastic moves unless Konerko’s injury last longer then maybe you may have to make a move to help give more depth at 1st base. You know Swisher will take on most of that responsibility but who else will when Swisher is playing center or left field at a consistent rate. Konerko’s fielding which is solid at first sometimes gets overlooked by his numbers he puts up on offense.
Runs a must with White Sox
I guess Ozzie Guillen got the message across as he did not want a let down to the last place team in the central. Even thou his comments were harsh and a little out of control the team embellished the criticism as they put up nine runs against the Royals. Including four home runs which is nice to see but more needs to happen consistently. Whether it is Kansas City or Boston this team needs to support its young starting rotation.
The starting rotation has been a complete opposite of last year where it was Mark Buerlie being the ace while the rest followed his lead. Now Buerlie has the worst record of the Sox the pitching and the rest all have better records. The best surprises out of the starters has been Contreras and Floyd while Danks has also pitched well. Hopefully scouting does not catch up to these young pitchers as teams will begin to figure them out more as the season progresses. That is another reason why the Sox must continue to score and be able to stay in first place.
The biggest turn around of any Sox pitcher has been Jose Contreras who has returned to the pitcher that helped lead this team to a title in 2005 and an all-star in 2006. Contreras just looks more confident and his fork ball has been devastating at times. It will be interesting if the Sox can keep pitching like they have because if they do and hit consistently then a AL central title does not sound so far fetched.
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