The White Sox have won ten games in a row, which is their longest winning streak since 1976. When I wrote my article just over a month ago, I was about to give up on the White Sox, but they have proved me wrong and I will now react to my past article .
Five Reason to Give Up
Still in the sophomore slump, even though it seems like he is having good at-bats. Beckham will most likely be platooned with Omar Vizquel at second once Mark Teahan comes off the disabled list. Not a reason to give up, but the freshman phenom needs to work out his issues.
2. Bench Players
Vizquel is coming around, hitting over .350 during the current winning streak and the 43-year-old is playing like he is ten years younger. Ramon Castro has done his job as the backup catcher. Newcomer Dayan Viciedo is showing some promise, but as we know from the past, it is only a matter of time before opposing teams figure him out. Brent Lillbridge is back in the bigs with Jayson Nix being picked up by the Indians off waivers, but he has yet to make an impact. Mark Kotsay is starting to come around, but he has not solidified the DH spot that he held on Opening Day. Andruw Jones has been in and out of the lineup and has been struggling lately. No reason to give up because they have done their job especially since the injury to Teahan.
3. Inconsistent Starting Pitching
Not an issue anymore. Starting pitching has given the Sox a chance to win, with all of the starters going at least six innings each start. Enough said. Pitching has gone as was expected before the season started.
4. Lead-off Hitter
Juan Pierre has come around to be the best lead-off hitter since Scott Podsednik for the Sox. He has done his job and even the experiment with Jones leading off for the first time since 1988 may have lit a fire under Pierre. Still a weak spot, but Pierre is doing his best to make it stand out less.
5. Bobby Jenks
Converted the last 12 save opportunities and has been a workhorse. No need for Sox fans to cry for J.J. Putz .
Five Reasons to Be Hopeful
1. Speed
Sixty-eight stolen bases through mid-June, including Pierre leading baseball with 27 stolen bases, the runners have been more aggressive on the base paths, and A.J. Pierzynski has been throwing out runners better this year. Still a strength.
2. Paul Konerko
Has raised his average over .300 for the first time this season. He might have only four home runs in the past month, but he has also had key RBI and hits.
3. Andruw Jones
Jones has hit a slump, which has given him scattered starts and has transitioned to more of a situational pinch hitter, but he needs to prove himself to get back in the everyday lineup. May not be a hopeful point much more, but I could see him turning it around.
4. Alex Rios
.313 BA, 13 HR, 38 RBI, 20 SB, .546 SLG. He has been the most consistent player in the lineup. Enough said.
5. Bullpen
Jenks is back to closer form. Sergio Santos , Tony Pena , Matt Thornton , and Putz are all going strong. Still the best group for the Sox this year.
The Sox are in a good streak, so let’s see what happens when division play continues.
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