It started with a simple text message.
“Seriously, what the %*#$ is wrong with us?”
This came after the White Sox found themselves down 7-0 to the Twins. I actually had fallen asleep on the couch in the middle of the game while battling a headache, so truthfully, I don’t know what went wrong in that game. But allow me to answer anyways.
Nothing. Not one damn thing.
Yes, the Sox haven’t played consistently well lately. Yes, they’re slumping at the plate. Yes, they fell under .500 but got back to it last night. But you know what? It’s May. The season runs until September. It’s a cliche sure, but seriously, it’s a 162 game marathon. Teams slump. Just ask the Tigers and Yankees. It happens every year. The difference this year for the Sox vs. last year is that there are signs that they can turn it around. The offense NEVER hit last year. Not once. Currently, Paul Konerko has raised his batting average in each of the last 10 games. Jim Thome has been hitting well all season. Jermaine Dye came off the injured list and has been hitting really well. I mean REALLY well. So my point is that the offense is there and is capable of being there. They’ll hit again. They showed signs of it last night in Seattle.
The bullpen has been very solid. Now last year they started out on fire and then fell apart after mid May or so, so I’m still somewhat skeptical, but I do feel better about this group than last year’s. Contreras, Floyd, and Danks have been better than solid. Vazquez is throwing well and yes, Buehrle’s ERA is higher than we need it, but he’s been too good for too long for that not to come back down.
In other words, this is a solid team that’s going to right the ship. They’re playing loose, they’re having fun, and frankly, I expect them to be right in the thick of things at the end. Will the Sox end up winning the division? Who knows. It’s far too tough to tell with the Tigers still lurking and the Royals and Twins playing better than anyone expected. But right now they’re in a much better position than, say, the Padres. Look, we don’t know who the elite are yet. We just don’t. Yes, Arizona’s really good. Yes, Boston’s really good. But what if Upton or Drew or Webb or Haren get hurt? What if Papelbon keeps blowing saves? What if Ortiz or Manny get hurt? Are the Yankees going to continue to hit below .200? Of course not, especially once A-Rod and Posada come back. Are the Padres going to continue to be terrible in a terrible division? I doubt it. Things see-saw all through the season and it’s far too early to hit the panic button now.
If the Sox still can’t hit in July, then yes, feel free to panic away.
