Chicago White Sox Week in Review (5/11-5/17): How the West was Won

It's odd how the minds of White Sox fans work.

Consider these facts. The Boston Red Sox won the last World Series, and the New York Yankees are the winningest team in baseball history, with the corresponding postseason hardware to show for it. Add in that the Toronto Blue Jays have a formidable starting rotation; the Baltimore Orioles have a good mix of young guns in their lineup; and the Tampa Bay Rays have surprised everyone, and one would think that the toughest road trip would be one to the AL East.

Yet Sox fans always cringe and shiver when the team plays on the West Coast. 

Not because it means games usually start at 9:05 CST, and we'll be up watching (or in my case, listening) to the game until late at night. It's because the White Sox have been mediocre out west for the last four or five seasons, especially at Oakland/McAfee/Network Associates Coliseum.

However, the White Sox got lucky this week: they didn't have to see the A's on this road trip. And though the Sox only managed to squeeze out another 4-3 record over the last seven days, that was good enough to regain the lead in the AL Central.

I was trying to add up the figures in my head, and while going one game over .500 every week doesn't seem like much, it would add up to an estimated 19 games over .500 record at the end of the year. Don't trust my math; that is a very rough estimate. Even so, the Sox have won seven of their last 10, and have the division lead.

What will the Sox need to win the division? Here's a few of the keys to the door marked "October Baseball".

Be Executioners

No, not the Linkin Park-hybrid band. The Sox need to start executing better in most offensive areas. Mark Buerhle failed to lay down a sacrifice bunt on Friday night, and the offense once again stranded double digits in runners on Saturday.  Paul Konerko did knock in a two-out run yesterday, giving them an insurance run, but overall, the Sox have to get the fundamentals.

Follow the Drew Rosenhaus system

What does that mean, ask for more money? No, kids: be defensive (Get it? All the "no comment" answers?...never mind). Brian Anderson, Nick Swisher, Carlos Quentin, and Jermaine Dye have been sharp in the outfield, but the infield (notably Joe Crede) has had their share of problems. 

Pablo Ozuna did play a grounder badly yesterday, but he and Alexei Ramirez filled in well in the 3-1 Sox victory. The Sox need to keep up that kind of play and hold up the pitchers while the offense begins to pick up.

Keep your head up

One of my biggest knocks on Scott Podsednik in '06 was that he was beating himself down. At least, articles in the sports section made it seem like Pods did not have any self-confidence after the All-Star break.

The Sox hitters can't afford to do that with key series against Cleveland and Kansas City coming up. All signs point to them working hard and staying in it, but it's a long season, and they've got to pull out of this slump quickly.

Find your way home

The Sox are only 9-7 at home. To win in October, you've got to win at home. Simple as that. The summer will be a litmus test for guys like Buerhle and Gavin Floyd especially, who have been getting a lot of flyouts. Some of those  might travel into the seats as the Chicago summer heats up.

No "Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down" (too generic), so this week's Beast of the Week Award goes to A.J. Pierzynski. I think A.J.'s auditioning for a spot on Dancing With the Stars after his soft-shoe shuffles for doubles in Anaheim. A 9-23 week was good for a .391 average, with five doubles, a triple (ask my colleague Pat Nolan for the slugging percentage), and a six-game hitting streak.

Honorable mention goes to Toby Hall for his three for five evening in yesterday's victory.

Parting shot: Wonder if the Reds'll soften up the Tribe for us on Tuesday.

Until next time, keep waving the Pennant.