The Chicago White Sox went 3-3 last week as they were outscored 28-27.  It’s hard to say what exactly the White Sox are missing so far as they are a much better team that what they have shown so far this season.  The White Sox are now 12-11 on the season which is good for 4th place in the American League Central, 2.5 games behind the Cleveland Indians.

Jim Thome is off to a rousing start for the White Sox this season.  In 18 games this season, Thome is 17 for 50 (.340 avg, 1.233 OPS) with 12 runs scored, 5 homers and 10 RBIs.  Thome has also walked 25 times so far this season and teams will continue to pitch around Thome until the rest of the White Sox lineup starts hitting.

With Scott Podsednik down for a while with an injured groin, it appears that the White Sox will platoon Pablo Ozuna and Rob Mackowiak for the time being.  The only problem with that is Mackowiak is off to a very slow start to the season.  In 12 games, Mackowiak is 5 for 27 (.185 avg, .611 OPS) with 4 runs scored, 1 homer and 2 RBIs.  If Mackowiak doesn’t hit better soon, look for the White Sox to try to acquire another outfield in a trade.

The White Sox had a decent week going 4-2 while outscoring their opponents 30-27.  The Sox combined clutch hitting with good starting pitching last week.  The Pale Hose are currently tied for 3rd place with the Cleveland Indians, 1.5 games behind the Minnesota Twins.

Darin Erstad is off to a slow start to his career with the White Sox.  In his first 13 games he’s only hit .156 with a .442 OPS.  He’s 7 for 45 with 4 runs scored, 1 homer, 3 RBIs and 3 stolen bases.  If Erstad doesn’t get it going soon, he will either get dropped in the lineup or benched. 

Mark Buehrle tossed a no-hitter against the Texas Rangers last night.  He was the first White Sox pitcher since 1991 (Wilson Alvarez) to throw a no-no.  Buehrle was masterful last night as he only allowed one batter (Sammy Sosa) make it to first base.  He walked Sosa and then picked him off of first base so he faced the minimum amount of batters last night.  Buehrle is in his free-agent season and that game last night was a pretty good thing for him to put on his resume’.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore;_ylt=AjWwwtsCaSJoYlOOOBkXhhk5nYcB?gid=270418104

The White Sox have placed outfielder Scott Podsednik on the 15-day disabled list with a pulled groin.  This might hurt the Sox a little bit as Podsednik was off to a good start this season.  He has played in 10 games this season and he was 10 for 33 (.303 avg) with 6 runs scored, 1 homer, 2 RBIs and 3 stolen bases.  Look for the Pale Hose to possibly set up a platoon in LF with Rob Mackowiak and Pablo Ozuna until Podsednik is ready to return.

The White were 3-3 last week and they outscored their opponents 18-16.  The Sox wasted really good pitching last week and that can’t continue if they’re going to have a good season.  They even lost a game last week to the Cleveland Indians despite holding them to 1 hit.  The Pale Hose are currently in 4th place in the American League Central, 2 games behind the Cleveland Indians. 

David Aardsma has been outstanding so far this season for the Chicago White Sox.  He was acquired in a rare trade with the Cubs for Neil Cotts and the Sox couldn’t be happier.  Aardsma has pitched in 4 games so far this season and he’s only allowed 3 hits while whiffing 9 batters in 7 innings.  He is 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP so far this season.  He is just one of a collection of relief pitchers that all throw in their fastball in the mid-90’s for the White Sox.  Look for him to continue to pitch well as long as he keeps throwing strikes because his stuff is nasty.

It’s early, but lefty Matt Thornton is off to a rough start to the 2007 season.  He has pitched in 4 games so far covering 2 innings and he’s allowed 5 hits and 2 earned runs.  His ERA is sitting at 9.00 and his WHIP is 3.00.  He needs to straighten out soon because the Sox have been using him late in games which magnifies his mistakes.