Questions? Yes, we have Questions!
The Chicago White Sox have a lot of questions
going into the post All-Star point of the season. Here are some of them:
How hurt is closer
Bobby Jenks? Based on his rehab appearance, he's still not nearly where the Sox need him to be. Not having Jenks in the lineup totally screws up the last three innings and gives more responsibility to people who are better served coming into the game in non-game situations.- If he's out for awhile, who will be the closer? The committee approach isn't working. Scott Linebrink is absolutely a setup guy. Octavio Dotel can't be trusted. Matt Thornton is inconsistent. Boone Logan isn't good enough. Adam Russell is too inexperienced. If Kenny has to make a move, what's out there and what can he give up to make it happen? Huston Street, anyone?
- Will Paul Konerko become a more
consistent force in the lineup? Yes, i know he just came off the DL, but standing there with the bat on his shoulder with the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the ninth was painful to watch. Thus far this year, the Sox have been a better team with Nick Swisher at first base.
- Can Alexi Ramirez and Carlos Quentin keep up their first half pace? Q is already cooling off a lot as pitchers now have a book on him. Quentin, along with Ramirez and A.J. Pierzynski have been the only consistent hitters the Sox have had all season.
- Will
John Danks and
PinkGavin Floyd keep up their efforts or will their young arms wilt in the heat of August? I think Danks might be okay, but I have little confidence that Floyd will continue as hot as he has. Remember with Floyd, his success is relevant to how he starts a game. if he has a good start, he'll stay strong. if he has a rough start, he folds like a card table in a wind storm. - Will Jose Contreras and Javy Vazquez snap out of it and soon? I'm really worried about Contreras who seems to have his head somewhere else besides on what he's doing. Last year, that was written off as his failing marriage. What's the excuse this year? Vazquez should really be a concern as he hasn't had a decent start in what seems like months.
- Can Jim Leyland whip the Tigers hard enough down the stretch to
overtake the Sox? And, can the Twinkies continue to be the second best
story in the American League this season (next to the
DevilRays.) Sadly, yes and yes. Say what you want about the Twins, but somehow they get it done, especially against divisional opponents. And if the Tigers can get anything out of their starting pitching, they are good enough to make a run.
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