Memorable opening two months of season for White Sox, Cubs

Roughly a third of the season has been played, and one of Chicago's major-league teams is meeting expectations - the White Sox.

The other local team - the Cubs - are not. They're exceeding expectations.

Let's take a look back at the first two months and see how the Sox got to first place in the AL Central and the Cubs are right there with the Cardinals at the top of the NL Central.

White Sox

There's been no shortage of drama on the South Side, and new manager Tony La Russa has been in the middle of most of it.

Managers can definitely have an impact on the standings, but the players ultimately decide the number of wins and losses. The Sox understand that.

"We're not trying to really worry about the outside world, just take care of what's in the locker room," shortstop Tim Anderson said. "At the end of the day, we're going to go out and play the way that we want to play. We're going to enjoy it and have fun with it.

"That's how we're at our best, when we're enjoying the game. We don't really worry about the outside noise."

Widely projected to be a World Series contender this season, the White Sox certainly have that look.

But there has been much bigger adversity than La Russa not knowing a 10th inning baserunner rule or the Yermin Mercedes homering on a 3-0 pitch flap.

Losing two of the best young players in baseball, left fielder Eloy Jimenez and center fielder Luis Robert, would have crippled most teams.

The Sox have felt the loss, particularly in the home run department, but a trio of inexperienced hitters - Mercedes, Andrew Vaughn and Nick Madrigal - have helped pick up the slack.

Good starting pitching can always erase any offensive shortcoming and the White Sox's rotation headed into Saturday's doubleheader against the Orioles ranked first in the league in ERA (2.87) and batting average against (.200).

Big question marks heading into the season on the back end, starters Carlos Rodon (5-2, 1.29 ERA, 72 strikeouts in 48.⅔ innings) and Dylan Cease (3-1, 2.98, 66 strikeouts in 51⅓ innings) have been exclamation points for the White Sox.

"This rotation's pretty special," said Rodon, who pitched a no-hitter vs. the Indians on April 14. "Five aces."

Cubs

Remember when this team was 12-16 on May 2, the offense had been shut out five times and was historically inept, the starting rotation was a disaster and the bullpen couldn't throw strikes?

What a remarkable turnaround.

After rolling over the Reds Saturday at Wrigley Field, the Cubs remain the hottest team in the National League with 12 wins in 15 games.

Despite a rash of injuries - 10 players are on the injured list, David Bote is likely to be added after hurting his shoulder Saturday and Anthony Rizzo has missed four straight games with another back issue - the Cubs have found ways to win.

"How the offense has worked and the pitching's settled in and how we're playing baseball and the success of the bullpen, it feels like all facets have gotten better and it just breeds confidence," manager David Ross said. "You feel like you're never out of the game. You feel like you got a chance to come back, you continue to fight, continue to have your at-bat, waiting for that moment when you're down that somebody gets on and you pop one and you're right back in the game. Or have the confidence when you do have the lead that we trust in the guys behind you in the bullpen and your defense."

Kris Bryant has not only been a defensive marvel while playing third base, first and all three outfield spots, he's regained his MVP form with the bat. Shortstop Javy Baez is also back to being an all-around force.

In the rotation, Adbert Alzolay barely made the roster out of spring training but his slider is real and he's teamed with Kyle Hendricks to give the Cubs two quality starters.

Led by Craig Kimbrel, Andrew Chafin and Ryan Tepera, the bullpen is the biggest reason the Cubs are looking more and more like buyers than sellers when the trade deadline approaches.

Before Rex Brothers gave up a run in the sixth Saturday, Cubs relievers went 38⅓ innings without being scored on, a franchise record.

Looking back on the first third of the season, it's been memorable for the White Sox and the Cubs.