How the Chicago White Sox Can Avoid a September Swoon, Steal AL Central

Before the 2012 season began, the Detroit Tigers were the consensus favorites to win the AL Central.

The other four teams in the division didn't even need to bother leaving their spring-training camps. This thing was in the bag for the Tigers. 

The Chicago White Sox apparently missed that memo. As of Aug. 31, the White Sox had a three-game lead over the Tigers in the AL Central, with the two teams set to play a weekend series at Comerica Park.

Detroit could obviously tie for first place in the division with a three-game sweep. But the White Sox could expand their margin over the Tigers with a series win or sweep. 

The Tigers took the first game of the series with a 7-4 victory, getting their weekend off to a good start. However, Chicago could still win the next two games and begin September by asserting itself over its division rivals.

Last September, the White Sox went 11-17, finishing with a 79-83 record that left them 16 games behind the AL Central champion Tigers. But they should avoid a similar slide during the final month of this season. Here's how they can do it. 

Keep on Rebounding

A major factor in the White Sox's success this year has been the rebound performances from several players who were terribly disappointing last season.

Adam Dunn has already experienced a major turnaround from his disastrous 2011 season. Consider that he hit 11 home runs during the month of May, which matches the number that he hit all of last year. 

Even if his .204 batting average as of Aug. 31 is abysmal—and will end up as the second-worst number of his career if it continues through the rest of the season—Dunn is still cranking baseballs out of the park like few other sluggers. With 38 home runs—currently the most in the big leagues—he's reached that number for the eighth time in his past nine seasons. 

Alex Rios is hitting .303 for the season. That's almost 80 points higher than the .227 mark he posted last year. He's already hit 20 home runs, reaching that total for the third time in nine seasons. His current .850 OPS would be the third highest of his career.

A.J. Pierzynski is hitting for power like he never has before. His 24 home runs are a career high, surpassing the 18 he hit in 2005. Pierzynski's .524 slugging percentage and .854 OPS are the highest marks in his 15 major-league seasons. 

On the pitching side, Jake Peavy has had his best season since being traded to Chicago. His 9-9 record isn't particularly impressive, but his 3.09 ERA is the best he's compiled since 2008. Part of that is because he's allowing 7.8 hits per nine innings, the lowest rate he's posted in three seasons with the White Sox. 

Of course, staying healthy has been crucial to that success. Peavy's 26 starts and 181 innings are the most he's made in his three seasons in Chicago. 

New Faces Keep Producing in New Roles

Perhaps the biggest difference between this year's White Sox team and last season's club is the presence of Chris Sale in the starting rotation.

Last year, Sale made 58 appearances out of the bullpen. He struck out 79 batters in 71 innings and notched eight saves. 

This year, however, the White Sox made Sale into a starter. In that role, he's pitched 157 innings—more than twice what he did last year as a reliever—and put together a 15-5 record with a 2.81 ERA and 151 strikeouts. He's been one of the the best pitchers in the American League this season.

Jose Quintana was pitching in the New York Yankees' minor-league system last year, compiling a 10-2 record and 2.91 ERA in 30 appearances (12 starts) for the Yanks' Single-A Tampa team.

Signed as a minor-league free agent, Quintana posted a 2.77 ERA in nine starts for the White Sox's Double-A Birmingham club. He's been a revelation since getting called up to the majors in May. In 19 appearances (17 starts), Quintana has a 5-3 record and 3.17 ERA.

Addison Reed moved steadily along the White Sox's minor-league system last season, beginning at Low-A and progressing through the High-A, Double-A and Triple-A levels before earning a September call-up to the majors. 

This season, Reed has appeared in 50 games while developing into the team's closer. He has 24 saves for the season, striking out 47 batters in 46 innings. 

Dayan Viciedo has established himself as the White Sox's starting left fielder, hitting 19 home runs with 58 RBI. Alejandro De Aza has developed into the team's center fielder, giving the White Sox a younger, more athletic outfield than they had last season. 

These are not last year's Chicago White Sox. This is a better team on both sides of the ball, getting major contributions from players who underperformed or worked in different roles a year ago.

The pressure is on the Tigers to win the AL Central. Detroit has one of the league's best hitters in Miguel Cabrera and best starting pitchers in Justin Verlander. The owner shelled out $214 million for Prince Fielder, helping to build the fifth-largest payroll in the major leagues.

Going into the final month of the season, the White Sox are in prime position to win the AL Central. They've exceeded expectations all year long and blown up the presumed narrative. Why can't that continue through September and into October? 

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