How will Sox answer these questions?

If Ozzie Guillen still was managing the White Sox, he likely would be imploring the Bulls and Blackhawks to make deep runs in the playoffs this spring.

The Sox have played some pretty bad baseball the past two Aprils (19-32), and they play 10 games against the Rangers, Tigers and Red Sox during the opening month of this season.

Ozzie probably would be telling Sox fans to watch basketball and hockey instead of baseball, but new manager Robin Ventura has his sights set on a successful start and a surprising season.

The White Sox are going to have to click on all cylinders from Friday's season opener at Texas to the Oct. 3 final game at Cleveland if they hope to keep pace with the powerhouse Detroit Tigers in the AL Central.

Can they do it? Anything is possible, but there are plenty of questions heading into the season:

1. Is Adam Dunn going to bounce back? He can't be worse than last season, right? You can't put too much stock in spring-training numbers, but Dunn was very good in Cactus League play. He led the Sox in home runs (5) and RBI (14). Dunn also drew 14 walks and struck out 10 times in 51 at-bats.

2. Can Jake Peavy throw 200 innings? The right-hander hasn't reached that milestone since 2007, when he won the Cy Young Award with the San Diego Padres. Peavy is as healthy as he's going to get, but you have to wonder when the next injury is coming.

3. Is Alex Rios going to bounce back? Again, you have to be careful analyzing spring-training stats. Unlike Dunn, Rios struggled in the Cactus League and exited with a poor hitting line — .224/.266/.293.

4. Who is the closer? Ventura has yet to decide, and he might go with a committee. Matt Thornton, Jesse Crain and Addison Reed are the obvious options, but keep an eye on rookie left-hander Hector Santiago, who allowed just 1 earned run in 10 Cactus League innings.

5. Is Dayan Viciedo going to hit? The White Sox' new left fielder was quiet all spring, but he homered in each of the final two Cactus League games.

6. Who is the No. 2 hitter? It could be A.J. Pierzynski against right-handed starters and Brent Morel against left-handers. Ideally, a productive Gordon Beckham is the best fit in the 2 hole.

7. Is Chris Sale going to make a smooth transition from the bullpen to the rotation? The left-hander has the arm, and he has the stuff to become a dominant starter. Durability is the big key. If Sale can pitch 150 innings, the Sox should be satisfied.

8. Is Gordon Beckham going to bounce back? He tinkered with his swing over the winter and was OK in the Cactus League at .266/.324/.406.

9. Is Ventura ready to manage? Time will tell, but he had a good spring. The White Sox started Cactus League play at 2-6 and finished 13-18. Ventura has surrounded himself with a good coaching staff, and he is well organized.

If the Sox finish at or just over .500, Ventura should get some Manager of the Year votes.

sgregor@dailyherald.com