Eight losses in the last 10 games has sapped away most of the outside optimism that the 2017 White Sox would be way more relevant in the AL Central race than previously thought. A surprising dream season is always a little tempting to believe in when it’s actually happening, but with the Sox three games under .500, it’s a little easier to resign them to their scrappy rebuilding team forecast from spring training.
Even in the first month and a half, they’ve probably already raised some expectations about the level and competence of their play. Tyler Saladino says that’s the product of a longview focus on everyday improvement that manager Rick Renteria and his staff have instilled.