After forgettable April, White Sox can't wait to flip the calendar
The White Sox got off to a great start last season, faded toward the end and were eliminated by the Astros in the opening round of the playoffs.
Apparently, they are taking the reverse approach this year.
April couldn't end soon enough for the Sox, who were subpar in all phases of the game and are lucky to still be within striking distance in the AL Central, which is once again the worst division in baseball.
When they rolled out to a 6-2 start, it looked the White Sox were going to run away and hide like they did last season.
What happened?
Let's start with the offense.
Heading into Saturday's play, the Sox were last in the league with a .207 batting average, last with a .258 on-base percentage, last in walks (39) and near the bottom in just about every other offensive category.
Jose Abreu (.212 batting average), Yasmani Grandal (.161), Luis Robert (.188), Leury Garcia (.106), Gavin Sheets (.213) and Josh Harrison (.086) are all on the lengthy list of slow starters.
"The quality of at-bats can get better and they're working on it," White Sox manager Tony La Russa said. "It's starting to show results. I've learned a long time ago, if you try to explain yourself it sounds like an excuse. The less you explain, the less excuses people think you're making. But our offense is going to be fine. We're going in the right direction."
The Sox's defense might have been worse than the offense in April.
Through the first 19 games of the season, they made 21 errors. Shortstop Tim Anderson is responsible for 7 fielding miscues, the most in the majors.
Much like the offense, the White Sox haven't been able to relax and focus in the field.
"Our guys just need to play their game and have confidence, but it's human nature. You want to do more, if you care," La Russa said. "But you really get back to the basics, man, whatever it is, the way you fundamentally catch a ball, hit a ball and throw a ball. We just keep stressing that. We'll be OK."
There have been base running issues as well, be it Garcia running Robert into an out at home plate or Anderson not running hard to first base during a close loss to the Royals.
The pitching hasn't been awful, and Dylan Cease (2-1, 3.27 ERA) and Michael Kopech (0-0, 1.42) are off to solid starts, Lucas Giolito is back from the injured list and Lance Lynn are Johnny Cueto are joining the rotation in May.
In the bullpen, closer Liam Hendriks has struggled and Aaron Bummer has been flat-out bad.
Hendriks should be fine after dealing with a back issue, Kendall Graveman has been as good as advertised and the addition of Joe Kelly in a week or two will give the Sox another proven performer at the back end.
The White Sox were far and away baseball's most disappointing team in April. Fortunately, there are five more months on the schedule.
"We all know it, it's been a rough stretch," Giolito said. "But there's not really much that needs to be said. It's just a matter of going out and executing in every facet of the game. I think if we just continue to go out prepared and let our talent shine out on the field, have focus in every situation, things will start to go our way."