Chicago White Sox Week In Review: Tiger Clawed and Rockie Rocked

Everything was progressing along so nicely. The White Sox had bounced back from a bad series in Tampa with seven straight home wins. It all seemed to be under control. The team was hitting well, pitching well, and even the most cynical of baseball fans was thinking that perhaps their offense was finally turning a corner.

Then, the proverbial $%^$ hit the fan.

The Sox proceeded to score six runs in three games while getting swept by Detroit, and they also managed to lose two out of three to one of the worst teams in the NL, the Colorado Rockies.

After these two series that I'm sure that most fans of the Pale Hose would like to forget, a question must be posed: should we be worried?

The first issue that should be examined is the virtual shutdown of the offense.

This has been headed by Carlos Quentin's performance. Thus far this season, the team has pretty much gone as he has gone, and this week was no exception. In a week in which he struggled at the plate, the rest of the team followed suit.

Quentin only drove in one run in the previous six games, and the offense has suffered because of it. Scoring 14 runs in six games won't win you many.

Also, if you had told most baseball experts that Paul Konerko and Jermaine Dye would have 30 and 29 RBI respectively at this point in the season, they would probably assume that the Sox would have a record somewhere around .500, if not below.

Additionally, Jim Thome's continued low production out of the DH spot is a concern, and his injury also has the Southsiders worried.

Another reason for concern in the Kingdom of Sox is their upcoming schedule.

After the Pittsburgh series, they play three against the Cubs at Wrigley (where the Northsiders are 29-8 this season), three out in LA against the Dodgers, then three more with the Cubs, then a three-game set against the always dangerous Indians, wrapped up with a four-game set against the Oakland A's, who have a history of giving the Sox trouble.

About the only positive out of all of this is that the vast majority of these games are at home, where the Sox (as nearly every team in MLB has been this season) are much better.

Playing six games out of nine against the team with the best record in the bigs isn't exactly a standout chance to build some momentum, so the Sox have some work to do to maintain their lead in the Central.

In terms of positive elements that the Sox have in their favor, their starting rotation jumps to mind first. When your worst ERA among the starters is 4.40, and no one else is above 4.00, you know you have a decent chance to win ball games.

When you add to that how many strikeouts they have as opposed to their walks, (307 K's to 126 walks), and their worst WHIP belonging to Mark Buehrle with a 1.41, you really begin to see where this team's strength lies.

Ironically, their rotation's W-L record is only 26-23, which surprises many.

In addition to the rotation, the bullpen has been rock solid. Scott Linebrink is having an All-Star caliber season, and Bobby Jenks once again is proving that he doesn't have to throw 98 MPH in order to retire hitters. His 95 MPH fastball, with late action, is a tremendous pitch, and his curve is absolutely sick.

If a team is behind the Sox after six innings, you might as well pack it in, because this bullpen is not going to blow many games.

So, should the Sox be concerned? Is it time to spin the panic wheel, and see if it lands on "Ozzie Rant", "Kenny Trade", or "Other"?

The answer to this question is most likely no. The Detroit Tigers, who have an offense that can rival the Philadelphia Phillies in terms of explosiveness, have issues with the pitching staff, with Jeremy Bonderman being done for the rest of the season.

The Cleveland Indians have yet to hit like the Indians, and have an increasingly distant CC Sabbathia still pitching for them.

Kansas City is nothing special, and the Minnesota Twins are ripe for a fall from the upper echelons of the division. So get your fingers away from the little red button, and let's all just have a Schlitz and relax.

Writer's Note: Tuesday will bring a Cubs Week in Review article, and Friday will bring something special: "A Trip Through the Minors, Presented by Baseballtown USA", in which I will examine farm affiliates of both the Cubs and Sox, and also will report on the Chicago-area minor league teams.