Why It's Time to Take the White Sox Seriously

Are the White Sox playoff contenders?

It may still be too early in the regular season, and the White Sox do play in a weak division, but you have to be very impressed by what you've seen out of this ballclub that has been the laughing stock of Major League Baseball over the last several seasons.

Chicago's offense has been elite thus far, led by Munetaka Murakami, who looks like an absolute steal from the offseason when they signed the Japanese star to a two-year, $34 million contract. The 26-year-old is tied for second with Aaron Judge in all of baseball behind Kyle Schwarber with 17 home runs after mashing two more against the Cubs over the weekend.

The White Sox have also gotten some steady play with the bat from Colson Montgomery, who has 13 home runs. And since coming over from the New York Yankees, veteran outfielder Randal Grichuk has already made his presence felt by hitting one home run with seven RBI in 16 games since arriving in Chicago.

While their pitching staff is still believed to be the White Sox's biggest weakness as they enter Monday with a team ERA of 4.35, which ranks 22nd in baseball, it has been primarily due to injuries. Still, however, the offense has shown the ability to carry this team.

There's also plenty of time left in the season for the White Sox to upgrade their pitching staff.

It may be early in the season, but this White Sox team has shown through its 46 games of the season that they're resilient and won't let these last two seasons of futility define this franchise.