I know it’s early, but the 2012 White Sox are starting to remind me of the 2011 White Sox.

Sure, Adam Dunn is seeing the ball better, Alex Rios hasn’t sucked as much, and Jake Peavy looks like the Jake Peavy Sox general manager Kenny Williams traded for three seasons ago.

But just like last year, the Sox have provided a dash of greatness, a touch of awfulness, and a whole lot of frustration.

Last year was maddening because we all knew the type of talent the team possessed, but they simply underperformed and provided false hope.

Every time the Sox put a two-, three-, or four-game winning streak together they followed it up by losing a bunch in a row; they lingered enough in the American League Central to continue to tease Sox fans. 

So far, the Sox put a four-game winning streak together before dropping three-of-four to the Baltimore Orioles. Then the Southsiders swept the Mariners before losing two-of-three to the lowly Athletics.

It’s not just that they’re losing — it’s how they’re giving games away.    

Early on, it looked like Hector Santiago was going to be able to grab the reigns as the closer, but he has faltered as of late.

Wednesday afternoon Paul Konerko tied the game in the top of the ninth inning with his 400th career home run, and then the Sox took the lead in the 14th inning after Alexei Ramirez doubled in two runs.

Again, it seemed like the Sox had all the momentum, and then, in a microcosm of last season, Santiago gave up three runs in the bottom half of the inning to blow the game.

Rookie manager Robin Ventura showed his colors when he admitted to mixing up his players on a botched squeeze bunt play; growing pains, I guess.

Maybe I am being cynical, but something about this year’s White Sox is rubbing me the wrong way.

There has been too much good and too much bad in such a short period of time it’s already opened the door to way too many questions.

I may be overanalyzing this team, but when you see what the team is capable of when they play solid fundamental baseball, I hold them to a high standard.

With the Detroit Tigers in your division, you better pick up as many games you can against weak teams, such as the Athletics.

The highlight of the season has obviously been Phillip Humber’s perfect game, which recently caused thousands of fantasy baseball team owners to change their team name to “The Humber Games”, but the Sox must sure-up the closer role to make sure quality starts don’t get wasted.

The Sox have been surprisingly fun to watch this season, but it will be hard to keep watching if they continue to be nothing but a tease. 

Meanwhile, the Cubs are, well, the Cubs.