2008 White Sox: You're Not Fooling Anyone

The 2008 Chicago White Sox shot out of the gate to lead the American Central Division for the first month of the season, something no experts thought they were capable of doing.

After surging through the first month, however, things have begun to head south for the White Sox. This team is starting to mirror the 2007 edition of the Southsiders more and more every day.

It is hard to believe the White Sox found themselves on top of the baseball world only three years ago.  It seems like those days are long ago, especially after last year's debacle.

The more this team plays though, the more things are starting to look the same, especially in their lineup.

Nick Swisher was a great addition to this White Sox team.  Although he was not expected to be the leadoff hitter when he was brought in, he has had success in the leadoff spot.  Granted, his average isn't soaring, but his on-base percentage is where it needs to be.

arlos Quinten have been a pleasent surprise for the Sox this year, while Orlando Cabrera has struggled a bit out of the gate while showing signs of what he can do.  Only signs and not the highly touted product is what can be said about the majority of the White Sox lineup this year, especially when you look at the heart of the order.

Jim Thome, Paul Konerko, AJ Pierzynski, and Joe Crede have all fallen off after quick starts to the season.  During the entire 2007 season, we heard the Sox hitters were too good to struggle for an entire year.  Well, if it has happened before, it is more likely to happen again.

All of these players can accept part of the blame for the White Sox struggles.  Starting pitching was supposed to be the problem for the White Sox this season but it has held up. It's time for the hitters to do their part. 

The age of the middle of the Sox lineup is beginning to show to me.  Sure, they can still murder fastball pitchers (see Justin Verlander's career numbers vs. the White Sox) but watch them against any hurler that throws breaking balls.  It's ugly.

Veteran hitters are not showing patience at the plate. They are trying to do a bit too much.

This team is not the 2005 team that took the World Series title.  Sure, many of the names are the same, but they are not producing as expected.

Because of that, things aren't going to get a whole lot better for the Southsiders this season.  Maybe they will stick around for another month or so, teasing the country that they will try to make a run towards the postseason.

However, the season lasts 162 games for a reason. The better teams (even with injuries) are able to get out of their early funks and play the best baseball in their divisions.  See Detroit and Cleveland in this department.

Even though the White Sox entered May as the AL Central leaders, I'd be shocked if this lineup can keep them within three or four games by the end of the month.

I'd also be shocked if this team was in position to do anything but be a seller by the All-Star break.

Sorry Southsiders. As much as your team has grown on me, they aren't currently progressing towards a return trip to the World Series anytime soon.