The Chicago White Sox have been one of the most disappointing squads in baseball this year, yet they are just two games behind in their quest for the playoffs and, more specifically, the AL Central lead.
A little more than a week ago, on August 31 to be more specific, it was announced that manager Tony La Russa would be leaving the team indefinitely to attend some health-related matters.
Miguel Cairo has been the acting manager in La Russa’s absence, and he has done a good job.
The White Sox have their issues, mostly related to team construction, injuries, and underperforming stars.
The White Sox Are Very Much Alive
However, they remain alive in their quest for the postseason.
That speaks more about the mediocre level of the AL Central than their own play, but it’s a fact: they can still make it into October.
Cairo’s optimism and positive demeanor seems to be working for the squad.
“Miguel Cairo was in a good mood. ‘Believe me, this team right here? This team is good. Not good, really good. It shows today. It shows yesterday, the day before, at home. This is what you’re going to get everyday,'” The Athletic’s James Fegan tweeted while quoting the acting manager.
Miguel Cairo was in a good mood.
"Believe me, this team right here? This team is good. Not good, really good. It shows today. It shows yesterday, the day before, at home. This is what you're going to get everyday."
— James Fegan (@JRFegan) September 8, 2022
Cairo doesn’t have even a third of La Russa’s experience in front of a baseball team, but he has things that the former World Series champion lacks: optimism and a fresh attitude are some of them.
Chicago is back over .500, with a 69-68 record: they are tied with the Minnesota Twins in second place, and both of them are two games behind the Guardians.
It will be a three-way battle for the top spot in the AL Central and a ticket to October baseball.
NEXT: The White Sox Are Getting Some Much-Needed Reinforcements