Chicago White Sox: Team of Destiny?

By Darren Zaitlen

As the Chicago White Sox try and sweep the Seattle Mariners today, one can't stop thinking of the possibility that this team is destined to succeed.

How else can you explain all the things that have fallen into place for this team?

After a terrible 2011 campaign that saw the White Sox go "all-in", a 2012 season of "let's hope we compete" has worked wonders for the Sox.

They no longer have the enormous distraction of Ozzie Guillen, and players who had a terrible season under him last year are succeeding mightily under new manager Robin Ventura.

The selection of Ventura as manager seemingly came out of a hat due to his lack of managerial experience. However, Kenny Williams looks like a genius as Ventura's personality gels perfectly with the players on this team.

This wasn't Williams' only good move this season. You don't stay in 1st for most of the season without some great personnel moves. The Sox had a gaping hole at third base that was hurting them both offensively and defensively. Chicago's more dramatic, redder in the face version of themselves were struggling up in Boston with their new manager Bobby Valentine.

So Kenny Williams took advantage of the Red Sox and practically stole Kevin Youkilis away from them. Now don't get me wrong, Youk was having an awful season in Boston hitting only .233 with an OBP of .315 with four homers and 14 RBIs in 42 games. Who knew that a change of scenery would benefit him this much?

In 49 games, Youkilis has only batted .254 but his ability to get on base at a .380 clip, hit more homers and drive in more runs (11 homers and 35 RBIs), as well as play a pretty good defense at third has turned one of the Sox's weaknesses into a strength. His ability to grind out at bats and take a lot of pitches helps the team in more ways than one.

However, we wouldn't be having this conversation of the White Sox being in first if it wasn't for the remarkable turnaround seasons of Adam Dunn, Jake Peavy and Alex Rios.

Credit - Wiki Commons Fair Use

After one of the worst statistical seasons in major league history, Adam Dunn has bounced back to smack 38 homers and drive in 87 before today's game. While he is striking out in clumps and hitting below .210, nobody is angry at him because this is what type of player they were supposed to get last year. You can live with the .200 average if he is driving in 100 and hitting 40 bombs. Can't forget his ability to walk either as he has 89 walks this year to help his OBP stay above .330.

Additionally, Alex Rios is raking this year with 20 homers and hitting over .300. One can also argue that he, along with Pierzynski, have been their most clutch hitters this season. Rios changed his batting stance to match his tall frame and it has worked wonders. Pair that with the removal of Ozzie Guillen and you have a much more comfortable player. 

The list goes on and on for the White Sox as the emergence of Chris Sale and the recovery of Jake Peavy have shored up a rotation that suffered through John Danks' injury. The unexplained power surge that Pierzynski is having has created a more balanced lineup one through nine. They have battled through the inconsistency of Gavin Floyd and Philip Humber to discover the brilliant Jose Quintana. Oh, and Kenny made a small trade to acquire Francisco Liriano from their division rival Twins who has looked good in his past two starts winning both of them. 

Hell, they've been able to keep Gordon Beckham in the lineup all season. 

Balance that with a bullpen that consists of almost all rookies, including closer Addison Reed, and you wonder how the Sox are still in first place. What was once seen as one of the worst farm systems in baseball has produced guys like De Aza, Viciedo and Addison Reed. All these players have come up and made an impact this season.

It's amazing to look at how many things had to go right for the White Sox to be in the position they are in now: atop the AL Central.

With all that has happened this season, how can you not believe in the Chicago White Sox?