On Aug. 1, the White Sox held a 15-game lead in the American League Central Division.
Exactly three weeks later, it has slipped to 8 1/2.
That’s a loss of 6 1/2 games in three weeks, so at that pace it would take the Sox another four weeks to fall into second place.
So, Sox fans, is the glass half empty or half full?
Five reasons not to panic
1. The Cubs
The supposedly cursed North Side team has ghosts, goats and gobbledygook keeping it from winning. South Siders don’t believe in any of that garbage, meaning they have no psychological panic hangups.
2. American League Central
The Sox have compiled a 32-12 record against teams in their own division, second best in the majors to the Cardinals. And they still have 30 more, including 14 against Kansas City and Detroit.
3. 74-39
That was the Sox’s record before last week’s nose dive. You don’t play that well for 113 games and then forget how to do it, especially with the same personnel.
4. Math
If the Sox were to go 20-21 in their remaining 41 games, they would finish with a 95-67 record. For the second-place Cleveland Indians to finish with 95 victories, they would have to go 27-11 in their final 38 games. Almost impossible.
5. Pitching
The seven-game losing streak was caused almost exclusively by the offense. For the most part, starters and relievers–statistically in the top three in the league–held up their ends. So once the hitters scratch out a few runs, the victories should come.
Five reasons to panic
1. The Cubs
One of the most memorable collapses of all time came in 1969, when the upstart Mets overcame an eight-game deficit after 121 games to become part of Cubs infamy. Sunday was the Sox’s 121st game. It has happened before.
2. Sixteen games
That’s how many remain against the Indians and Minnesota Twins, who are suddenly hot on the trail of the Sox and seemingly gaining confidence every day. Obviously, that’s enough games to turn the Sox’s lead around if the Sox don’t win head to head.
3. Little playoff experience
Teams such as the Yankees, which have been through the stress of Septembers past, know how to handle the pressure that comes with a dwindling lead. Ozzie Guillen has never been through this as a manager, though he has as a player.
4. No reliable hitter
The lineup is balanced with .270 to .280 hitters but has no Derrek Lee, who would be capable of carrying the team by himself. Therefore, it is harder to stop offensive slides.
5. Injuries
Paul Konerko has missed time with a sore back. So have Joe Crede and, most troublesome, closer Dustin Hermanson. And the losing streak shows the impact that one missing player–such as leadoff man Scott Podsednik–can have, especially on a fragile offense.
———-
Edited by Chris Malcolm (ccmalcolm@tribune.com) and Michael Morgan (mnmorgan@tribune.com)
