Southpaw starters getting the job done for Sox

CHICAGO -- Six 2014 White Sox contests had been started by left-handers prior to Chris Sale's Friday trip to the mound against the Indians. All six of those efforts from Sale, Jose Quintana and John Danks were quality starts.

The White Sox have always held to the line that they simply want quality hurlers in their rotation, regardless of whether they are left- or right-handed. But having this trio of talented southpaws stands as a bonus for the South Siders.

"I don't think it stops there," Danks said. "You know certainly Felipe [Paulino] and Erik [Johnson] haven't gotten off to starts they wanted to and we all thought they would, but we have no doubts they are going to be right there pulling their own weight.

"But that's in the job description, going out there and keeping us in the ballgame and getting us deep. Save the bullpen, and so far so good."

Danks describes Sale as "undescribable, in that he does everything in terms of command and stuff." Quintana is pinpoint and moves the ball, according to Danks, and the wily veteran joked that he himself is just "trying to get by."

"No, I would like to be as consistent as those guys," Danks said. "I feel like I'm going to be. I haven't been quite as sharp as I would like to be. I know it's there and we'll get it right."

With Sale (possibly under control through 2019) and Quintana (possibly under control through 2020) securely in the fold, the White Sox appear to have a solid starting one-two punch at the top of their rotation.

"Jose has been great, and he's going to anchor the staff with Chris for a long time," Danks said. "It's fun to watch those two work. They are different, but both get the job done.

"You got a real good feeling going into each game they start. We are going to be in the ballgame and the bullpen is not going to get worn out."