The White Sox go into the All-Star break with a 47-38 record, and in first place in the Central Division. They lead the Indians by 3 games, and 3.5 over the favorite Detroit Tigers. Through 85 games this season has gone better than even the most optimistic White Fans could have expected.

The Sox even got better news during Sunday’s finale against the Blue Jays. Jake Peavy, who missed out on the ASG when he lost the Final Vote to Texas’ Yu Darvish, is going to his first A.L. All-Star game.

In a stroke of luck, CJ Wilson will miss the ASG due to a blister on his pinky finger, so Peavy was chosen to replace him. Peavy will have 4 days rest going into Tuesday’s game.

He’ll also have a good taste in his mouth, because he won for the first time since the 7th of June. Peavy controlled the Jays for 7 innings to pick up his 7th win of the year.

With any run support he would have had 10 or 11 wins. The ASG is a culmination of all the hard work he has put in over the past 2 years to get back to the guy we all you to see in San Diego. Sox won game one, 4-2.

One guy who needs to step up, and at least over 2 of his past 3 starts has, is Gavin Floyd. Floyd is a maddening pitcher. Each and every time out he can lock up an opponent, but as we’ve seen this year those times have been few and far between.

Saturday, he was the guy every Sox fan wants to see. pitching into the 8th, then watching his guys put away the Blue Jays. Sox win game 2, 2-0.

Sox have to be hoping that John Danks and/or Phil Humber come back quickly, and pitch like they can. They can’t afford too many performances like Sunday. Dylan Axelrod gave up 3, 2-run home runs in 3 innings of work.

I like Axelrod, but he is a long reliever, to me. He wasn’t the only one ready for the All-Star break to begin, as the rest of the young pitchers not named Hector Santiago didn’t bring their good stuff either.

Brian Omogrosso, Leyson Septimo and Nate Jones all had issues on Sunday.

I believe GM Ken Williams will shore up the rotation, and bullpen in the next month, or two. Getting a healthy Jesse Crain might be the boost the Sox need. I’m reaching here, but I could picture Zach Greinke in a Sox uniform in August.

Is Kevin Youkilis really this good? And if he is, the Red Sox had to be crazy to give him away. The man has played in 13 games, and has 13 RBI’s, including 3 game winners, that includes Saturday’s game winning home run. Youkilis is hitting .346 with 3 bombs with the Sox.

And the defense has been nothing short of spectacular. He is making plays I didn’t think he could make. Mind you, I didn’t watch him every day.

I know A.J. Pierzynski has been up in arms about being left off the All-Star team, but there is amother guy who also has a beef, but hasn’t said a word. I am talking about Alex Rios.

Rios torched his former mates to the tune of .363. His 3-run blast on Sunday got the Sox back in the game after they were down 4-0 in the 1st inning. Rios is just doing his job, and what a job he is doing. I know there are still 77 games to be played, but he was amazing in the first half.

His first half exploits got him into the ASG, but Adam Dunn can’t be happy with how the 1st half ended. 1-15 with 8 strike outs for the Big Donkey over his last 4 games. I know most harp on Dunn’s paltry .208 average, but he has also walked 68 times. Dunn has 61 hits in 293 at bats. If you added 34 to his hits and at bats, he would be hitting .290. .290 with 25 home runs and 61 RBI would make most happy. Amazing how walks, which aren’t included in one’s BA, do make a difference.

By taking 2 of 3 from Toronto, the Sox finish the 1st half by winning 7 of their final 10 games.

Sox need a break. Let’s hope everyone comes out healthy for the 2nd half because the Sox begin 10 game road swing taking them through Kansas City, Boston and Detroit.