CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- The second half of the season hasn't been kind to the White Sox.
Sitting at 42-44 at the All-Star break, the White Sox have since gone 4-15. As the White Sox's struggles have continued, there's been a message being preached by the coaching staff: relax.
That word was printed for all to see on the White Sox's lineup card as they were set to host the Mets on Thursday afternoon. The goal is to internalize the adversity and turn the focus to relaxing and playing better baseball.
Injuries certainly were a factor in the White Sox's recent poor play, as shortstop Tim Anderson and rookie outfielder Eloy Jimenez were sidelined for significant stretches. They're both back now, but the White Sox have now lost third baseman Yoan Moncada to a hamstring strain amid his breakout season.
And with no additions or subtractions of consequence as the trade deadline passed Wednesday, manager Rick Renteria knows he must do everything he can to keep his team motivated for the final 57 games.
"It depends on how you are looking at us," Renteria said when asked about the state of his team. "It is both as a team and individually. You have seen (Lucas) Giolito make tremendous strides. I think you see (Reynaldo) Lopez coming back again. You are going to see Dylan Cease have a couple of really, really important months for him to make progress and adjustments. I always say that the guys who have big talent can make huge jumps and strides quickly. So we must be prepared. Once that comes, we must be ready to strike. The next couple of months are for continued growth and experience. We must use that to transition into the next season."
Renteria will be focused on teaching and motivation in the final two months of the season, knowing the losing has worn on his players. The players are looking to do everything that can to embrace that.
"We need to kind of relax," Giolito said recently. "I think everyone knows what we need to do to be successful. We certainly did that enough at the beginning of the year. We need to take a collective deep breath and move on to the next one."
And how is Renteria holding up during this rough stretch?
"He has instilled in us a lot of really positive things," Giolito said. "We have been listening and heeding that advice. We are not playing our best baseball, but we all have the confidence to get back into it."
The White Sox's front office still likes the progress that has been made this season, even though the record has taken a downturn. The often cite the prospects in the farm system, as outfielder Luis Robert and infielder Nick Madrigal have impressed and are honing their craft at Triple-A Charlotte.
"We have some very special talent at the top of the system," general manager Rick Hahn said. "Underneath that, we have had some injuries and under-performances, which limits us somewhat of lining up at this juncture. When we head into the offseason, we will be in a different spot. Some guys will bounce back from their performances, some will be healthier. The trade value will be different when we enter the offseason and as we enter the trade market in the winter and this time next year."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
