Guillen knows it won't be easy
The numbers stacked up nicely for the White Sox as they pulled into the all-star break.
At 54-40, the Sox are running first in the American League Central. They've held the top spot in the division for 84 days, looking down on everyone else since May 17.
The pitching staff took a beating during three games at Texas to close the first half, but the Sox' 3.56 team ERA is second in the American League to Oakland (3.39).
Offensively, the Sox survived a sporadic first two months, and they lead the AL in home runs (129) while ranking third with 465 runs scored.
All in all not too bad for a team widely picked to finish no better than third in the Central following a 90-loss season in 2007.
As the White Sox prepare to open the second half at home tonight against the Kansas City Royals, manager Ozzie Guillen isn't going to start looking ahead to possible playoff opponents.
"We've got 60-something games left,'' Guillen said. "Those will be the toughest (68) games we play because the first half is over with and, hopefully, we have a good break and we have to start with the right foot in the second half.
"That's why we have to prepare mentally and physically for all the way to the end of October. If you play through September and the regular season and you make the playoffs, you're done. You have to prepare yourself mentally to play those 11 games in the playoffs, if we have a chance.''
First baseman Paul Konerko missed 20 games in the first half with a strained left oblique muscle, and closer Bobby Jenks has been on the disabled list since June 30.
Jenks was on a minor-league rehabilitation assignment during the all-star break. The big right-hander is expected to be activated today.
Guillen said keeping all of his players on the field in the second half is vital.
"Health, and stay away from the rumors,'' Guillen said. "The big thing about it is keeping people healthy. And get the players strong enough mentally to overcome these situations. Every time you come to the park, you better be ready, no matter who you play against, what time, when, how many days off.''
At the start of the season, the White Sox were expected by many to be hopelessly behind the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Indians heading into the second half.
The Indians are all but out of it at 41-53, and they've already traded ace starter CC Sabathia to Milwaukee. The Tigers have been spinning their wheels all season, but they're hanging around in third place at 47-47.
"We're not going to run away with this thing, I don't think so,'' Guillen said. "I hope we do. That would be nice, but it's not easy. We're in a very tough division, competing against tough clubs. But we're going to be compete.''