ESPN

If you're an owner of any of those big-name White Sox hitters -- Joe Crede, Jermaine Dye, Paul Konerko, Jim Thome -- surely you're hoping there's some sort of scientific method, some sort of statistical theory that helps explain what has gone so terribly wrong. Today, what I have to offer you is a simple, rational explanation for the South Siders' problems:

Bad luck.

How else could one explain this steep an offensive collapse? That aforementioned quartet, which combined for 151 home runs, 436 RBIs and a .300 batting average in 2006, has seen those numbers slip to 18, 59 and .217 in 34 games prior to Wednesday's doubleheader against the New York Yankees, numbers that put them on track for only 86 homers and 281 RBIs for the full year. As a team, the White Sox, who scored 868 runs in 2006, third most in baseball, are on pace for only 624 this season, a significant drop-off.

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