The 5 Keys to a Successful White Sox and Cubs Season

Staying Healthy and Staying Focused Are Keys for This Season

White Sox

Sox fans have alot to boast about going into spring training. Their team slid under the radar last year and ended up dominating the playoffs for their first World Series Championship in 88 years. Kenny Williams didn't rest on his laurels during the offseason picking up key acquisitions such as Jim Thome, Rob Mackowiac, and Javier Vazquez. The Sox are now the number one seed going into the 06' season, with many experts picking them to do it again. But anyone who knows baseball knows that repeating is easier said than done.

The Sox can no longer play the team under the radar. The whole league knows about them and will be looking to upset the champs any chance they get. Being the hunted under the pressures of intense media focus will make this a long season. The Sox need five things to happen if they want to take part in another parade.

1. Stay Healthy- The Sox were able to go through most of last season relatively injury-free. Besides nagging injuries to Dustin Hermanson, Joe Crede, and Scott Podsednik the White Sox were able to play their guys almost everyday. However, while most guys were able to get back in shape, including new addition Jim Thome, many pitfalls may lie ahead. Thome, Hermanson, Crede, and Podsednik are all recovering which means that setbacks can happen and one time injuries can become reoccuring. And with a rotation of starters that all pitched over 200 innings last season and 2 of them will be competing in the WBC this spring, healthy arms could be at a premium. If their players, especially the pitchers can keep healthy then the Sox will have a chance to put a World Series Team on the field everyday.

2. Get Production From the No. 2 Spot- Last year Ozzie Guillen called number 2 hitter Tadahito Iguchi his MVP. Iguchi flourished as the man to bat behind base-stealing menace Scott Podsednik. Iguchi took advantage of all the fastballs that were thrown at him and was able to advance Podsednik and drive in a few runs in the process. This year Ozzie has decided to move Iguchi to the six hole to take advantage of his power.