Rongey: Way too early to say all is lost for White Sox

The White Sox are by no means out of the woods just yet.

In fact, they still have quite a bit of catch-up to play, trailing the division leader by several games.

But if the series against the Tigers is any indication, the White Sox might be showing a few signs of a turnaround - though there is plenty of work to be done to pull their cumulative offensive and starting pitching numbers out of the cellar.

As you know, the overall body of work has been terribly disappointing.

While the successful series against Detroit may not necessarily signal the beginning of a reversal, what it has shown us is that things can - and will - change in a hurry. Just last Sunday, after having lost five straight on one of the worst road trips in recent memory, the Sox' situation seemed dire.

Enough so that some people even suggested the team start looking into the possibility of selling pieces for prospects. In early May.

My thought a week ago was: "This stinks, but let's pump the brakes."

All it took to settle the initial stages of panic was a couple of wins against a team that got off to one of the best starts in baseball this season. If the Sox are to have any real chance to make a comeback and win the division - or grab a wild-card spot - they will have to take two of three a few more times against teams like the Tigers, as well as exhibit some consistency for a period longer than just a couple of days.

As I've said before, I have no idea exactly how this season will end up, though I do believe the Sox will do enough to at least make the division race interesting in the final weeks. Which is something they were unable to do the last two years.

I'm not saying positively that the Sox will rebound in enough time to chase down Detroit, Kansas City and even Minnesota. But what I am saying is that I still think they're better than what they've shown us in this early part of the year, and a serious run is most definitely not off the table.

I know many people despise hearing the phrases "it's still early" and "it's a long season." I get it. Especially when you've heard it often enough without it being followed by a playoff appearance. However, it doesn't make the statement false.

It is still early and there is still plenty of time for the White Sox to discover themselves. Even if they never find that groove we've been waiting on, right now the opportunity is still there for them to do it.

This weekend the Sox began a week's worth of games against some underwhelming opponents in the Reds, Brewers and Athletics. We can only hope the Sox will treat those teams like they should be treated. That is to say they should be beaten soundly.

A good trip to Milwaukee and Oakland should go a long way in putting anxious fans at ease. It will require them doing something they've only done twice this year: win away from home.

• Chris Rongey is the host of the White Sox pregame and postgame shows on WSCR 670-AM The Score. Follow him on Twitter@ChrisRongey and at chrisrongey.com.