Chicago White Sox: 5 June Tasks to Get Back in the AL Central Race
The Chicago White Sox have reason to smile as they come back to town to open up a ten-game homestand this coming weekend.
Chicago rebounded from a disappointing series with Toronto, coming out of Boston with a three-game sweep of the Red Sox. This gets the month of June off to a promising start.
The White Sox are showing signs of getting back into the AL Central conversation. However, here are five things the team needs to accomplish to make that a reality in the next month.
1. Find Where They're Hiding Adam Dunn's Bat
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Dunn does not yet have a hit against a left-handed pitcher this season.
He's not exactly lighting up righties, either.
Dunn is currently at the .180 mark two months into the season and has been replaced in the five hole by A.J. Pierzynski. His hitting in clutch situations has been even more pathetic.
The slugger was brought in for his home-run stroke. He has one in his last 19 games entering this weekend.
Most of the remaining lineup has picked it up offensively. To put it simply, Dunn has to get with the program, and fast.
2. Keep on Keepin' on from the Mound
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Mark Buehrle opens the homestand against Detroit Friday night, and Ozzie Guillen has indicated that the White Sox will stay with their six-man rotation for at least one more time though. He added that it could remain in place through the All-Star break.
I take this to mean two things.
1. The team can't justify taking Phil Humber out of the rotation as well as he has been throwing.
2. They don't want to demote any of the other starters.
This tells me that Humber will be the odd-man out if/when he comes back to earth after having some terrific starts for the White Sox.
The bullpen needs to pull some extra weight in this case, but the pitching staff has been a big factor in getting things turned around in May. Hopefully they continue to thrive in this situation.
3. Get Brent Lillibridge on the Field--or at DH
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If you thought Brent Lillibridge would have more homers than Dunn by this point of the season, kudos.
The reserve outfielder has six dingers in 77 plate appearances, as opposed to Dunn, who has five in three times the at-bats.
Guillen should keep getting Lillibridge in the lineup resting the starters in the outfield. Would it be insane to DH him a few times?
Guillen has already moved Dunn down in the order. Sprinkling Lillibridge into the mix may not boost the confidence of the Big Donkey, but it might inject some speed into the lineup. It also sends the message that the players who are producing are going to play.
Just saying, Alex Rios...
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4. Take Advantage of This Month's Schedule
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The White Sox have three games with the Tigers, who are a spot ahead of them in the AL Central. They finish the home stand with Seattle and Oakland.
Chicago travels to Minnesota and a struggling Twins squad, then is in interleague mode for the rest of the month.
The White Sox have been playing better at home as the weather has improved. They used the interleague set to rocket back into contention in 2010. Can they do the same this month?
5. Take Things One Step at a Time
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The Indians are 8.5 games in front of Chicago, and waiting for Cleveland to wilt is not the best course of action.
The White Sox need to take control of the situation by taking the following steps:
1. Keep the win streak alive.
2. Get To .500.
3. Reel in the Tigers.
4. Reel in the Indians.
First things first. Sweeping Detroit would be a great way to start the ball rolling. Here's hoping the White Sox can roll through June and back into contention.
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