Video: Chicago White Sox 2nd half preview by Sports Illustrated

Jul 10, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Jose Quintana (62) pitches against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Baseball is finally back after a short break, as MLB just completed the annual All-Star break. That means the Chicago White Sox will be back on the diamond as well, starting Friday as they host the Houston Astros for three games at US Cellular Field.

It also means the “second half” of the season is set the start with the White Sox sitting in fourth place in the AL Central with an overall record of 45-51 through 96 games of the 162 game season. As for the second Wild Card spot, the White Sox are 6.5 games back of the Seattle Mariners.

Posted above is a second half preview video by Sports Illustrated’s Tom Verducci.

The White Sox trail the first place Detroit Tigers by 10.5 games with a .469 winning percentage. The Tigers are 53-38 on the year.

Chicago will not only host the Astros over the weekend, they follow those games with three more home games (Monday-Wednesday) against the Kansas City Royals.

In looking at some stats this season, provided by baseball-reference.com, the White Sox have been outscored 434-411 this season, as they are 24-21 at home and 21-30 on the road.

At “The Cell,” the White Sox have scored 197 runs, while allowing 198. On the road, the “Good Guys” have been outscored 236-214.

Their splits this season for each month are: 14-15 (March/April), 14-14 (May), 11-15 (June) and 6-7 thus far in July. In one-run games this season the White Sox are 17-16, and in games decided by five or more runs Chicago is 10-12.

Interleague play thus far in ’14 have seen the White Sox go 10-8.

Now we just have to wait and see what this ball club brings to the table for the remainder of the season. Should be interesting and fun to watch this team continue their progression. That’s all we can really ask for from the White Sox with 67 games left on the schedule … moving in the right direction.