White Sox Look to Salvage One From O’s

With the words “losing streak” practically tattooed on their foreheads, the White Sox finish up a four-game series against Baltimore Monday night, having lost the first three.

The Sox have lost six of their last seven series (split four games vs. Yankees) after winning the first three series of the season. They started 7-4 and have gone 3-15 since.

Manager Ozzie Guillen was his normal self Monday, swearing more often than not and keeping everyone around him entertained. The atmosphere he perpetuates in the clubhouse has been crucial to keeping the team from pressing through a very tough stretch.

“With the talent we have, this should turn around quick,” an optimistic Guillen told the media Monday afternoon.

It’s not the first time Guillen has said that. The way things are going, it doesn’t seem like it will be the last, either. But on June 8 of last year, the White Sox were in the gutter at 24-33 and went off on a 25-5 tear. It’s unreasonable to expect the team to pull off a similar streak this year, but at nine games under .500, it’s just a little perspective. And as Guillen said, they certainly have the talent to go on another run.

Alex Rios continues to battle toe issues which plagued him through the first month. If things don’t improve, the team may want to look into a DL stint for Rios. He’s too good of a player for his slump to continue into a second month.

Gordon Beckham’s downward spiral is leaking into May as he’s posting up at No. 9 in the order after starting the season hitting second.

Juan Pierre’s on-base percentage is just over .300, a number that really needs to improve so he can create runs on the basepaths. An even bigger problem is that Pierre has successfully stolen just five of 12 bases this season.

Roving minor-league baserunning instructor Devon White, who stole 346 bases in 17 Major League seasons was at U.S. Cellular Monday to work with Pierre, Rios ,Alexei Ramirez and Brent Morel. Guillen said he wants guys to be more aggressive.

“First, we need to make sure those guys get on base,” Ozzie joked.

Mark Buehrle takes the hill for the White Sox and Mark Teahen is starting at third base for the third time in four games as Guillen tries to find offense anywhere on his 25-man roster.