The upstart Chicago White Sox could've folded after an atrocious sweep in Detroit. It would be understandable with a young team that's probably ahead of schedule in terms of its rebuild. But the Sox came from behind in the first game of a home series against the Cleveland Guardians, then won a tight one in game two, and were one play away -- twice -- from a comeback against the Guardians in game three. The series win and the Sox's ability to come back against one of the best closers in baseball shows that whatever flaws this roster has -- and there are things that need addressing -- at least the mentality is much more confident than it has been in recent years.
After a strong run against the best teams in baseball, the Sox faced a mild letdown in New York, though the salvaging of the final game led to good feelings. Then the team laid an egg in Motown last weekend against the Detroit Tigers. They blew leads and struggled defensively. They had the lead against Tigers ace Tarik Skubal and lost the game. Closer Seranthony Dominguez appeared rattled after a close call at first base went the Tigers' way -- it would've been the game-ending third out had it gone in favor of Chicago. Dominquez allowed two more singles and the Sox eventually lost in extras.
The White Sox still have flaws, but they're proving they won't go away quietly
The first game against Cleveland did look, at least until Sam Antonacci provided some heroics, lost. Dominguez blew another save. Fans were starting to wonder -- were the Sox an early-season mirage? Was a bad Detroit team actually not that bad? Can the Sox compare favorably to a Cleveland team with excellent defense and pitching? Or, perhaps, had the Sox gotten too up for the brutal stretch of schedule against the best teams in baseball and deflated against a Detroit team that's been dealing with key injuries?
I know I felt the familiar senses of gloom when the Sox gagged away the lead against Cleveland on Monday. I had similar feelings to those expressed by former manager Ozzie Guillen on the postgame show -- the game almost felt like a loss because of the blown lead. But I also understood the mentality Antonacci expressed after the game. I am paraphrasng, since he used colorful language. Antonacci suggested that if you're upset that a teammate put you down two runs, you shouldn't be. It's a team sport, so instead, you should do what you can to support that teammate and produce a comeback.
There are still serious issues with the Sox. They struggle on the road. The pitching, especially the bullpen, is a huge question mark. Dominguez might not have the mental fortitude needed to close. The offense has been lacking a little the past week, though, to be fair, they've faced good pitching and a defensively strong Cleveland team.
But the comeback Monday and near comeback Wednesday, including forcing Cleveland closer Cade Smith to blow two saves, shows that the Sox don't pack it in when they trail. Confidence is important. It's not the be-all, end-all -- the team still needs to execute -- but having a team that never feels out of any game is huge. Sox fans have seen recent teams checkout when trailing late. Yes, those teams weren't good. But it didn't help that they seemed to accept defeat before the final out.
I still don't know how good this Sox team is. It's young, and as noted above, there are questions about the roster. The road record is atrocious. It's also tough to measure the Sox against the competition -- the American League isn't particularly strong. That, plus the expansion of the playoffs, means the Sox could be a playoff team, even if they aren't at the level of the best teams of baseball.
In other words, the Sox could make the playoffs even if they aren't as good as playoff teams usually are.
It's also only late June -- there is much baseball to be played. I am not even mentioning the race for first place since so much season remains.
It's also worth noting the Sox just got Kyle Teel back after he missed the whole season to this point with an injury. Slugger Munetaka Murakami, who has been the team's best player, has also been out with an injury, though his return should be soon.
Are the White Sox good, or are they a .500 team in a rebuilding year that happens to be fighting for first place because the AL Central and American League are both wide open? That question is tough to answer. What is clear is that the White Sox have the kind of confidence and resiliency that the good teams possess.
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