Ye of little faith.  Despite all of the people leaving them for dead, the Chicago White Sox boat, headed for the falls three weeks ago, seems to have adjusted course and begun heading in the right direction.  The Sox are now only four games under .500 and nine games behind the surprising Cleveland Indians.

If you operate on the theory that at some point, the Indians fairy godmother will turn them back into a pumpkin, then it's a two horse race between the White Sox and the Tigers.  Detroit is currently at .500.

The Sox had an opportunity for an even bigger home stand, but Sergio Santos first blown save of the year cost them a win Friday.  The Dodgers aren't that good and they are managed by rookie skipper Don Mattingly, the former Yankee first baseman and native of Evansville Indiana (where  the men are men and the sheep are frightened.)  Mattingly will never be mistaken for Joe Torre or Tommy Lasorda, allowing Hadeki Koroda to get pounded before removing him late in the sixth inning.

The Sox now embark on an interesting and critical road trip, hoping to get back to five hundred by Memorial Day.  to do it, they'll have to go at least 7-3 on their swing through Texas, Toronto and Boston.  And make no mistake, this will be a lot stiffer test than their last road trip against the sputtering Angels, Athletics and Mariners.  Texas leads the AL West, Toronto is 2½ games out on the East and the Red Sox have been the hottest team in baseball the last three weeks. 

Following this trip, the Sox come home to face a Detroit team that swept them earlier this year.  If the cosmic tumblers work their magic, the series against the Tigers might be a pretty interesting match up with a lot on the line.  Following that series, the Sox take on the Mariners and Athletics before heading out for some interleague love. 

As an astute football coach once said "all the pieces are in place" for the White Sox to start their run.  With any luck, they'll tighten up their defense, Adam Dunn will remember how to hit.

The best thing for the Sox to do is not watch the standings, but play them one game at a time, get to .500 and go from there.  It's worked the last couple of weeks.