The Chicago White Sox enter their April 4 road matchup against the Detroit Tigers with a 2-4 record and a suitcase full of early-season frustration. The optimism that sometimes accompanies Opening Day has already started to fade, replaced by the haunting familiarity of underperformance. Through six games, the White Sox have been defined by inconsistency, both at the plate and on the mound. While it’s still early, and panic would be premature, this series against Detroit carries added urgency. Not because either team is a World Series favorite, but because both clubs know they need to establish momentum quickly or risk letting another season get away before April even ends. At the heart of Chicago’s woes is an offense that’s struggling to wake up. The White Sox haven’t been able to string together productive innings, and their situational hitting has left runners stranded and scoreboards quiet. The early numbers don’t lie: they rank in the lower third of the league in runs per game and team batting average. Their expected run production based on contact quality is actually higher than their actual output, which suggests bad luck—sure—but also poor sequencing and a lack of timely hits. They’re not getting blown out; they’re just not capitalizing on chances. That’s the kind of thing that drives coaches insane and loses you winnable games in bulk.

Pitching hasn’t exactly bailed them out either. The starting rotation has been shaky, giving up early leads and putting pressure on an already overtaxed bullpen. While there are a few bright spots—such as the occasional strong outing from Michael Kopech or Garrett Crochet—there’s been no real consistency. The bullpen has been forced into long relief appearances far too often, exposing their lack of depth. In a division like the AL Central, where most games are tight and come down to execution in the sixth through ninth innings, having a worn-out bullpen in April is a very bad omen for what May and June might look like. The White Sox desperately need one of their starters to throw a statement game—something clean and efficient that sets a tone for the rest of the rotation. Then there’s the road factor. The White Sox haven’t exactly enjoyed their trips to Detroit, losing six of their last seven games at Comerica Park. And while they’ve had more overall success against the Tigers in recent seasons, the environment clearly hasn’t been kind to them. They’ll need a complete game in every sense—starting pitching that eats innings, defense that avoids the routine gaffes that have plagued them in the past, and, most of all, bats that show up with runners in scoring position. If they can’t generate offense early, this could quickly spiral into another series of quiet bats and tired arms. There’s no shame in a rough week to start the season, but there is danger in letting that become an identity. The White Sox don’t need to win the division in April—but they do need to remind themselves (and everyone else) that they’re still capable of playing competitive baseball. This series is their opportunity to prove that last year’s struggles weren’t a prophecy. But they’ll need to start acting like it—fast.