Second-half outlooks:
Assessing the big pictures, surprises, disappointments and possible trade-deadline action for each team, Pages 10-19.
❚ Statistics, Pages 20-22
BIG PICTURE
The White Sox did not expect to be competitive in the second season of a rebuild, and they have struggled at times to even be respectable on their way to their sixth consecutive losing season. They have not won more than three consecutive games and have had five losing streaks of at least six games. However, optimism runs high in the organization.
BEST PERFORMANCE
Shortstop Tim Anderson is becoming the power/speed player the White Sox projected when they chose him in the first round of the 2013 amateur draft. The 25-year-old is hitting .246 with 13 home runs and 21 stolen bases.
BIGGEST SURPRISE
Kevan Smith has provided a boost at catcher after Welington Castillo was suspended for 80 games for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug. Smith has formed a solid tandem with Omar Narvaez.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT
Lucas Giolito, the headliner among the three young right-handers acquired from the Washington Nationals in a trade for outfielder Adam Eaton in December 2016, is 6-8 with a 6.18 ERA.
TRADE-DEADLINE FORECAST
First baseman Jose Abreu and right fielder Avisail Garcia are the two most attractive veterans, but the White Sox don’t seem inclined to deal either. Righthander James Shields, closer Joakim Soria and left-handed reliever Luis Avilan could draw interest.
KEY SERIES vs. Chicago Cubs Sept. 21-23