Top Five Reasons Not To Give Up on White Sox

(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The White Sox are three games under .500 and are fourth in their division, but I think there are five big reasons why not to give up on the White Sox this season

1. Mark Buehrle

The Ace, Mark Buehrle, has been the most consistent starting pitcher for the Sox. He is 6-1 with under a three ERA. He has gone through six innings in all but one start, so he has saved the bullpen on his starts. Buehrle has not given up more than four earned runs in any of his starts, and, oh, and he is making the most money on the Sox payroll. With all the talk about overpaid players, Buehrle is earning his $14 M.

2. Paul Konerko

Konerko is batting over .300 for the first time since 2006. The captain, and fan favorite, has been able to get hits when others in the lineup have been struggling. This is completely opposite from last season, where Konerko couldn't hit much. It is great to see Paulie step up and start hitting like the veteran he is.

3. Scott Podsednik

Podsednik came in during desperate times, but he gave the White Sox something they needed: a legitimate lead-off hitter. The Sox have used Chris Getz, DeWayne Wise, and Brent Lillibridge at the lead-off spot, none of which had the tools, except Podsednik. He has bunted for base hits, maintained a descent on-base percentage, etc. Scotty Pods seems to be back, with the exception of stealing 50-plus bases. Oh, not to mention his good defense.

4. Alexei Ramirez

Ramirez has raised his average 30 points in the past 10 games. Many forget that Alexei did not become the starting second basemen until Juan Uribe declined, and Ramirez got the job. This is the first time Ramirez will be playing a whole major league season as a starter. May is when he got his start, batting .271; this May so far, he is batting .279. I look for Ramirez to continue to get better at the plate, ever since being moved into the second slot of the lineup. Don't forget, he is one of the best shortstops, defensively, in the AL.

5. Gordon Beckham

Beckham is working his way up through the minors. He was just called up to AAA Charlotte, after batting .303, with seven home runs and 21 RBIs in Birmingham. Beckham has been playing third base, which raises a good question with Josh Fields. Will Fields make his way back to Charlotte? Will Beckham get his chance this season? The way it is looking, is that Fields needs to watch his back, because the first round pick from the 2008 draft may be replacing him. Jayson Nix has looked great defensively, and when you have a three-tool player in Beckham, almost major-league ready in the minors, Fields may be soon out of a job.

Honorable Mention: Bullpen Consistency

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