Chicago White Sox: 10 Commandments for Contending in the AL Central
Opening Day for the Chicago White Sox is finally here.
With the entire season before us, it's easy to be optimistic about the White Sox's chances in the American League Central in 2011. Money has been spent (and then some) and everyone is itching to get onto the field and start winning ballgames, starting Friday in Cleveland.
If the snow is removed from Jacobs Field, that is.
Much like the Indians ground crew, the ChiSox have their work cut out for them if they are to contend in a division with a hard-hitting lineup in Detroit along with the ever-competetive Twins.
If the White Sox can follow these 10 commandments, they should be in the thick of the division title hunt in six months.
1. Thou Shall Get off to a Solid Start
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The White Sox were 9-14 last April. Sure, everyone remembers the red-hot days of June and July last season, but had the team gotten off to a better start in 2010, things might have ended up differently.
Chicago opens in Cleveland and Kansas City before a 10-game home stand at chilly U.S. Cellular Field. Nothing like a typical Midwestern spring to damper the offense.
Overcoming cooler temperatures aside, the White Sox need to get out of the gate and be a few games over .500 by the end of the month.
2. Thou Shall Set the Table
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The White Sox need Juan Pierre and Gordon Beckham to be on base for the big bats in the middle of the lineup.
Chicago's slow start in 2010 was personified in the play of Pierre and Beckham, who were terrible before the All-Star break and pretty productive after it.
Pierre, first half: .257 BA, .326 OBP
Pierre, second half: .295 BA, .357 OBP
Beckham, first half: .216 BA, .277 OBP
Beckham, second half: .310 BA, .380 OBP
Pierre's speed at the top of the lineup (68 steals in 2010) is nice, but the key is being on base for the heart of the lineup.
3. Thou Shall Find the Home Run Stroke
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Adam Dunn wasn't signed for his soft hands and nimble feet.
What the White Sox need is for Dunn to be the Mayor of Dingerville.
Dunn and Paul Konerko aren't legging out a lot of infield singles, but they could be kingpins of a 2011 version of the South Side Hitmen. If these two vets can go yard 65-70 times over the course of the season, coupled with decent pop from the bats of Carlos Quentin, Alex Rios and Alexei Ramirez, scoring runs shouldn't be a problem.
4. Thou Shall Be Tough Outs at the Dish
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If Carlos Quentin can hit .275 this season, he could have a monster year.
If Brent Morel can hit .250, he can stay in the White Sox lineup and his glove should outweigh his shortcomings at the plate.
5. Thou Shall Make Your Next Scheduled Start
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Whether Jake Peavy returns to the White Sox rotation in May, June or later this month, he needs to be injury-free and pitching every five days.
If he finds himself on the mound and off the disabled list, Chicago could have the best staff in the division. Phil Humber isn't scaring a lot of teams at number five right now.
6. Thou Shall Not Overlook the Bench
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The White Sox know how big an addition Omar Vizquel was to the bench last season. Hopefully they won't need to see him take over third base like he had when Mark Teahen faltered and then was injured. It's nice to know that the veteran infielder makes a solid defensive replacement and can fill in for Brent Morel and Alexei Ramirez.
Teahen starts the season in a reserve role and could offset his salary by providing the versatility Ozzie Guillen desires at the corners and in right field.
Both Brent Lillibridge and Lastings Milledge made the team out of camp. Lillibridge had better impress early or may be shipped out of town if and when Jake Peavy returns or if Dayan Viciedo is ready to add his bat to the bench.
Ramon Castro isn't going to win you a track meet, but he is a capable backup who should catch once or twice a week and provide a little power.
7. Thou Shall Trust the Pen
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Injuries to key relievers like Bobby Jenks and J.J. Putz doomed the White Sox in August despite pitching very well out of the pen up to that point.
Putz and Jenks are out of the picture, leaving Chris Sale, Jessie Crain and Matt Thornton to put the kibosh on late-inning rallies. Thornton has been one of baseball's best setup men over the last three seasons. Guillen needs to keep the faith that Thornton will flourish in his new role.
8. Thou Shall Honor Your Co-Workers
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"Kids, I don't care who started it...pipe down and get along or I'll turn this car around."
With Ozzie Guillen and Kenny Williams being who they are, there will certainly be a touch of drama from management. It can't be helped.
The White Sox don't need the infighting they had last year. One of these guys will toss out some colorful quotes before the season is over. So long as they aren't firing at each other, the Sox can deal.
9. Thou Shall Beat the Twins (and the Rest of the Central Division)
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A 5-13 record against the Twins isn't going to cut it. The White Sox are going to have to find a way to take it to Minnesota in 2011.
The Sox don't face off with the Twins until the beginning of May and don't visit Target Field until the middle of June. If the White Sox expect to overtake last year's Central winners, they must prevail in head-to-head meetings.
The Sox were 27-27 against Cleveland, Detroit and Kansas City a year ago. The Indians and Royals fared much better against Chicago than they did the rest of the league.
To own the division, the White Sox need to dominate the teams in the Central.
10. Thou Shall Provide Bang for the Buck
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This White Sox payroll is over $120 million this season. The team made the commitment to re-signing Konerko and A.J. Pierzynski. They also plucked Dunn from the free agent pool and got Ramirez signed to a long-term deal.
Simply put, this team is being paid to produce. The future is not the primary concern of Kenny Williams. The man wants to win a division title every season, and in 2011 he has put his money where his mouth is. Now the players have to take the field and do their part.
Where Will the White Sox Wind Up in 2011?
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Provided that the White Sox can uphold their commandments, fans can look forward to a competitive season in the AL Central.
A 94-68 record can win this division in 2011. Hopefully it will be Chicago with that record.
First things first. Remove the snow and let the 2011 White Sox start getting it done on the field.
