Tough Road Ahead: Second-Half Keys for the Resurgent Chicago White Sox

Let’s jump back about a month. The date-June 9th. The Sox find themselves 9.5 back of first, and trade rumors involving AJ Pierzynski, Paul Konerko, and Bobby Jenks were running rampant.

Flash forward to today- The White Hot White Sox are 25-5 over their last 30, and are a half game up on Detroit at the break.

Their best stretch since the strike-shortened season of 1994 has been nothing short of sensational.

Timely hitting and lights out pitching have paved the way for the run to first place, and will have to continue to be there for the South Siders.

It was a remarkable run leading up to the All-Star break, but the road ahead will be tough, here’s five factors that will be pivotal to whether or not the South Siders will once again reign in the Central.

Lights-out Starting Pitching

The starting rotation has been lights out over the last month, invoking memories of the 2005 staff. The starters have had quality starts in over 90% of the games during the current 25-5 stretch.

Freddy Garcia has been the workman of the rotation all year, John Danks and Gavin Floyd have been phenomenal of late, and Mark Buehrle is starting to resemble his old form that Sox fans are oh so accustomed to seeing. These four cannot struggle if the Sox are to win the division.

Jake Peavy had been regaining his Cy Young form, but is out for the remainder of the season due to his recent injury. Youngsters Daniel Hudson and Carlos Torres are by no means at Peavy’s level, but one of the two should be able to be a solid fifth starter for Ozzie. As long as they are solid at best, the rotation shouldn’t skip a beat.

Quentin-Ramirez-Pierzynski

The resurgence of the White Sox offense has been spectacular. Carlos Quentin, Alexei Ramirez, and AJ Pierzynski have led the charge.

This trio has been the key to the offense coming out of hibernation. Their overall production has increased mightily, and the timely hitting has been extremely valuable.

Quentin has been on a torrid pace of late, blasting six home runs over the team’s last seven games. He is as hot as any hitter in the game, and has regained his 2008 form where he was a top MVP candidate.

These three need to avoid slumps in the second half and maintain their clutch hitting; doing so will go a long way to help the Sox back into October.

Win the Big Games

The current 25-5 stretch has been amazing, but many tough games lie ahead. They still play Minnesota 13 times, and Detroit 14 times. Couple those divisional games with seven against the Red Sox and another three with the Bronx Bombers, and the Sox have quite the road ahead.

The road to the playoffs is always through the division, the Sox must take the majority of the games against the Twins and Tigers if they’re going to take the division.

Gordon Beckham and Dayan Viciedo

Both of these young talents have shown some of their potential in recent games, and if one of them gets hot like Beckham did last year, that would push the Sox over the hump from a good team to a great one, and make them the clear cut favorites to take the division.

Beckham proved last year he can carry an offense, the opposite field-doubles machine would be a huge table setter for the top of the order if he can find last year’s form.

Viciedo has shown flashes of his potential over the current 25-5 stretch, and has provided some pop to the line-up. If he keeps up playing how he has of late, that’s just another potent powerful bat that would undoubtedly take the Sox to another level.

Kenny Williams

Just a month ago, it appeared that the Sox would be sellers at the trade deadline, as some South Side mainstays would be on the move. What a difference a month makes.

Kenny has never been afraid to pull a trigger on some deals, his track record of deadline deals include trading for Peavy, Ken Griffey Jr, and ’05 hero Geoff Blum.

Whether it is a blockbuster or a less heralded move, look for Kenny to be wheeling and dealing once again.

The Sox are rumored to be interested in acquiring a left handed bat, and the likes of Adam Dunn, Prince Fielder, Lance Berkman, and Adrian Gonzalez have all been linked to the South Side.

Depending on how the situation with the fifth starter spot plays out over the next few weeks, the Sox could be in the market for a starting pitcher instead. Ted Lilly, Jake Westbrook, and Dan Haren are three names rumored to be on the block.

Regardless of what moves, if any, are made; Kenny’s decision making could very well be the deciding factor in the Central.