Chicago White Sox Half-Term report: Buyers or Sellers at the Deadline?

 If you would have asked me after the opening series with Cleveland what position we'd be in at the All-Star break, I would have said no better than third. That series just felt like one of thoseseries. But I'm glad it didn't turn out that way, and the White Sox are on top. Losing three out of four to the Rays on the road didn't sit well with me, because two of those games we lost on walk-offs. Think about that: we could have won three of four against a first place team on the road. Another series that turned out bad would be the Cubs series at Wrigley (but the White Sox returned the favor a week later).

GOOD MOMENTS OF THE FIRST HALF

The aforementioned series sweep against the Cubs, the win streaks (8 games, 7 games—twice, six games), Carlos Quentin and Jermaine Dye's hot streaks, the bullpen and their stellar consistency, Danks and Floyd. And hopefully many more GREAT moments, climaxing in late October with another World Championship.

FIRST HALF GRADES

Offense: C  (need more consistency, need more "Ozzie ball")

Pitching:

• Starters: B-  (Surprises in Floyd and Danks, Vazquez must come around)
• Bullpen: A-   (A testament to Kenny Williams work in the off-season)

Defense: B  (Ozuna and Crede cost them maybe 3 wins in the first half)

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