South side success

The Chicago White Sox were one of the worst teams in the American League in 2015, finishing up with a record of 76-86. They scored the fewest runs in the AL (622), were 12th in batting average (.250) and 14th in OBP (.306). There pitching was decent at times, as they finished 7th in ERA (3.98) and 3rd in strikeouts (1359). They had high hopes coming in to 2015 after they signed Melky Cabrera, Adam LaRoche and acquired Jeff Samardzija via trade. Many of these players were plagued by underperformances and inconsistences. LaRoche, coming off a year where he hit 26 home runs and drove in 92 with the Nationals, hit a mere .207 while hitting only 12 home runs, the fewest he has ever hit in a full season. Samardzija had the third worst ERA in the league at 4.96, and struggled with his mechanics.

Although the team struggled in 2015, they looked to turn the page in 2016. Spring Training brought a lot positive energy to Chicago's camp, with the team retaining a young core of players, 16 of which are under the age of 30. As of May 3, the White Sox own the best record in the AL at 18-8 and are three games ahead of the second-place Detroit Tigers in the AL Central. Their schedule hasn't been easy of late, having to face the Rangers, Blue Jays and Orioles in three straight series. They would go on to sweep the Rangers and Blue Jays, two teams coming off division titles in 2015. Their success has been largely due to the pitching staff, but the offense is holding their own as well.

The pitching rotation, led by 27-year-old lefty Chris Sale, has dazzled so far, posting the best starter's ERA in the AL at 3.13. Sale is a perfect 6-0 through his first six starts while pitching to an ERA of 1.66. Behind him, Jose Quintana and Mat Latos have also started off well. Through five starts, Quintana is 3-1 with a 1.47 ERA. Latos, after struggling through three teams in 2015, is off to being his old self, beginning the season 4-0 with a 1.84 ERA.

The bullpen has been equally spectacular, currently sporting the best ERA in the Majors at 1.60. They are also second in holds (21) and have surrendered the second-fewest hits in the AL (50). At the back-end, David Robertson is 8-for-9 in save opportunities, and has struck out 14 in 11 1/3 innings. Zach Duke, Nate Jones and Matt Albers have combined for a 0.79 ERA in 34 innings pitched.

On the hitting side, the White Sox are 6th in OBP (.314), and 9th in slugging percentage (.387). They have been led by the hot starts of Cabrera and Brett Lawrie. Cabrera is hitting .297 with six extra-base hits, while Lawrie is hitting .290, with eight doubles and four home runs. Center fielder, Adam Eaton is also off to a good start with a .283 batting average and 28 hits out of the leadoff spot. Newly acquired Todd Frazier has also blasted seven home runs while knocking in 17, but only has a .220 batting average. Jose Abreu is still off to a slow start, hitting only .240 with three home runs, but is hitting .379 with six RBIs in his last seven games. When at full potential, this is a high on base line up with some pop.

The White Sox, often overlooked by the Cubs on the North side, still have a long way to go in the season, but if they continue their success on the mound and get some guys going at the plate, they will surprise many teams in the American League.