chitownsports

For all the attention that Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen gets for what comes out of his mouth when confronted with a microphone, not enough credit is given for his managerial skills.

With the White Sox slumping offensively and the team dropping in an already weak American League Central Division, Guillen made a bold move by re-shuffling a stagnant offense. The bold droppings of Jim Thome and Paul Konerko in the lineup and moving A.J. Pierzynski and Carlos Quentin up proved to be a much needed spark to the Sox.

The moves provided immediate results for the Sox. Chicago won their final five games on what was part of a 10-game West Coast road trip, a road swing that has historically been bad for the White Sox. The win streak allowed the team to finish the road trip with a 7-3 record and shot them up to first place in the division.

Upon coming home, the White Sox continued their winning ways, taking four of their next six games, including a sweep of the Cleveland Indians in an offensively challenged series that showcased the other half of the resurgence. The pitching staff has pitched with renewed confidence, realizing that the offense will come around with timely hitting (Thome vs Angels, Quentin vs. Angels twice and Indians, Alexei Ramirez vs. Giants). During the 8-game winning streak, White Sox pitchers gave up a grand total of 17 runs (with eight of those runs coming in one game).

The offense has not broken out of its slump yet, but with the pitching as dominant as it has been, it buys the team some games to get things in order and gives Guillen a longer leash to allow slumping players such as Nick Swisher to break out . Coming into Wednesday’s finale with the Indians, Chicago holds a two game lead over Minnesota. Things only get easier for the White Sox in the stretch before the All-Star break. After a series in Tampa, the White Sox come home to play 26 of their next 32 games in Chicago. While the Cubs are garnering all the attention in the Windy City, the White Sox are posting a solid season as well, no matter what the city or Guillen says.

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