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White Sox enjoying early uprising with bats

KANSAS CITY -- The White Sox sat at No. 1 in the American League in OPS (.941) and slugging percentage (.549), and tied for the lead in runs per game (7.0) and home runs (six) through their first three games.

Last year's offense ranked last in the AL in runs scored (598), 14th in on-base percentage (.302) and 13th in slugging percentage (.378). Of course, playing 1/54th of a 162-game season does not a remotely significant sample size make. But there's no denying greater energy coming from the this year's group with the bats.

According to White Sox designated hitter Adam Dunn, hits equals energy, and that becomes the simple equation for success.

"It looks more exciting when you are getting hits. When you are not getting hits, it looks like you are flat and dead," Dunn said. "But the short story is, we are getting hits so everything is looking better.

"Hitting is contagious. If you can get everybody rolling early, that's what good offenses do. It's hard for an offense to struggle early and then everyone is looking up at numbers, and people saying this and that. A lot can block it out. A lot can't. That's how it snowballs and you get seasons you don't want."

Leadoff hitter Adam Eaton added that getting your pitch and doing damage with it, while swinging at strikes -- a focus of new hitting coach Todd Steverson -- represents half the battle.

Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Merk's Works, and follow him on Twitter @scottmerkin.
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