Robin Ventura stayed optimistic during the White Sox's five-game losing streak earlier this month, but he's also not going to remain content carrying a five-game winning streak into Monday's contest against the Cleveland Indians.
The White Sox are back at .500 for the first time since Opening Day, and know they still have some work to do to gain ground in the American League Central.
But their confidence, through the ups and downs, is starting to show.
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"You just continue to let them play. It’s their confidence that needs to be high. Mine’s going to be the same every day, regardless," Ventura said. "You’re just picking and choosing who’s in there, or maybe some decisions that need to be made in the bullpen.
"But these are the guys that actually go out there, and they’re looking at pitches, swinging at strikes, doing the same stuff that we’re doing right now. Their confidence is quite a bit higher than it’s been earlier in the year."
A good place to continue that momentum is at home, where the White Sox have had the most success (10-5) this season, with their ace Chris Sale on the mound dueling against last year's AL Cy Young winner in Corey Kluber.
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"It’s a great matchup. Anytime Kluber’s going, he’s good," Ventura said. "We have a lot of respect for him. We’ve seen him a lot and he deserved that Cy Young. You just have to find a way to get on base and make something happen. And with Sale going we’re always confident."
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Confident, but even-keeled.
"Nobody’s having parties in there and doing that," Ventura said. "You continue to do your business. You have confidence but you still play the game and pick up on the things you feel are important."
"I think right now it’s about playing baseball, and I think these guys are confident when they go out there that they’re going to win a game."