CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox remain an enigma.
Chicago dropped seven straight in mid-June and then posted baseball’s best record (13-6) through July 11 to climb into the race for a wild-card playoff spot.
So are they contenders or pretenders in the second half?
The White Sox (41-45) remain last in the AL Central entering the All-Star break following a 3-1 Sunday loss to the Cubs. But they’ve won nine of their last 12 and are 5 1/2 games out of a playoff berth, but with eight teams to pass.
Chicago returns to play on Friday with eight of its first 10 games against AL Central Division foes as well as most of the final month.
“I don’t know if it’s baffling,” said White Sox manager Robin Ventura. “But you’re sitting there seeing them play a better brand of baseball. We’re pitching great and anytime you do that you have a chance. Defensively we’re playing better and eliminating what the other side can get.
“They haven’t quit, they haven’t given up on anything.”
White Sox pitchers — led by left-handed starter Chris Sale (8-4, 2.72 ERA) — have tossed a collective 52 quality starts, tied for first in the AL. Right-hander Jeff Samardzija (6-4, 4.02 ERA) has won three of his last four, including a complete-game shutout of Toronto last week. And reliable right-handed reliever David Robertson has a team-leading 19 saves, among the top 10 in the league.
But run support has been often lacking. Right-hander Jose Quintana, a deceptive 4-9, has nine straight quality starts and only 2.60 average runs in support entering Sunday.
The White Sox are collectively batting .242, 12th of 15 AL teams. They’re also at the bottom of the league with just 60 home runs, a statistic that has reflected a power drop by first baseman Jose Abreu and a lack of expected pop from new arrivals Adam LaRoche and Melky Cabrera.