Shutout Again

The White Sox were shutout again today, giving them two shutouts in the four game series against the Oakland A's. They should be proud, as most teams don't average a shutout per week, but these White Sox have proven not to be most teams this season.

The offense is putrid. Anything they did during their 10 of 13 run has been negated because of their output this series. They have no consistency with the bats. They could come back tomorrow and win 12-3, but that's exactly how unbalanced, home run-dependent offenses operate: they look like they can beat everyone one day, then get shutout the next. The worst part is that they've been beaten by no-name pitchers, though that's not unusual for them.

It all starts in the middle. Jim Thome clogs up the clean-up spot, and Paul Konerko and Jermaine Dye simply aren't getting it done anymore. Of the three, Dye has the most to offer at this point, and really should just be their DH at this point. Thome needs to go. If the team keeps struggling, there is a good chance he will be dealt at the trade deadline. If not, he's gone this offseason. I'd like to see Konerko go, too, but it's unlikely they'd deal him. If anything, they'd get more for Konerko at the deadline because he is actually having a good first half so far.

The top of the lineup had been a bit of a spark with Scott Podsednik finding something, but he's definitely not the long-term answer, and Alexei Ramirez is not a #2 hitter. The bottom of the lineup is a disaster as the mish-mash of Josh Fields, Chris Getz, Brian Anderson, DeWayne Wise, has been awful in any combo.

The team called up Gordon Beckham today, and if he can rake like he's been, they will improve a bit. But they really need Carlos Quentin to come back and stay healthy. He's the offensive leader, but his health is a real issue, because he's dealt with injuries his whole career. If he can come back and pick it up again, and Beckham can contribute, there is hope for this season.

If not, it's time to shed to fat and let the kids go to work. They have 2 months.