Chicago White Sox Grab Their First Winning Record Since Tax Day—Now What?

Juan Pierre drove a rare home run into the deep Chicago night to carry the Chicago White Sox to their first winning record since April 15.  The White Sox's 8-7 victory Tuesday night against the Cleveland Indians featured a few oddities: Pierre's 35th RBI, five White Sox triples and a hit by Adam Dunn.

Pierre is now on pace to tie his third-best RBI total in his career.

The White Sox's five triples were the most they had hit since September 17, 1920, back when the triple was considered a power statistic.

Dunn, who had been shooed to the batting cage last week, collected his first hit in eight days, raising his average to a slightly less anemic .162.

Many White Sox fans breathed a sigh of relief at the close of the Chicago marathon victory against the Indians, as their team had finally gathered enough steam to push themselves past .500.  Meanwhile, national observers lent an understated grin, seeing some real fire in the American League Central race.

The White Sox are finally showing signs of the team that had some people picking them to make the playoffs before the season began.  Generally, the pitching staff has carried the load while the bats have slumbered.  This month, White Sox hitters came alive, hitting .286 and scoring 4.7 runs per game.  That has taken some pressure away from their pitchers.

Meanwhile, the AL Central-leading Detroit Tigers won only their fifth game of their last 11 on Tuesday.  If the Tigers continue to slide, the White Sox have a reasonable shot at winning the division without too much of a push.  Currently, the Tigers are on pace for 85 wins, but they may win fewer if they continue to totter down the stretch. 

In order to nail this slow-moving target, the White Sox would be well-advised to continue pumping on all cylinders.  Continuing their hot hitting will help.  Also, a series win against the Indians would send the message that they are interested in improving their home record—especially as they head into the weekend series against the Texas Rangers, their toughest remaining opponent.

The White Sox should be able to count on workhorse starter Mark Buehrle, who has allowed three runs or fewer in his last 18 starts.  Buehrle has been a banner of consistency for Chicago.

If the White Sox flounder through the rest of the week and fall below .500, they might be pretenders.  However, their current streak of nine wins in the last 11 games indicates they are on the winning side to stay. 

This division will not run away from anyone, even a White Sox team that has spent much of the season with a losing record.