White Sox’ vibes are more positive than they were a year ago

TORONTO — Shortstop Tim Anderson didn’t have a chance to celebrate his three-run home run to center with a flashy bat flip. In the split-second Anderson was debating whether he should do it, he heard manager Rick Renteria yelling at him to run.

After he rounded the bases and made his way to the dugout, Anderson exchanged high-fives and smiles with teammates. He also executed a complicated handshake with rookie outfielder Eloy Jimenez in celebration.

“We’re all kids,” Anderson said after the White Sox’ 5-1 victory against the Blue Jays. “We like to have fun.”

The vibe surrounding this Sox team is night and day compared to 2018.

A year ago Sunday, the Sox, having lost seven in a row, were at their lowest point of the season. After a 3-2 start, they spiraled out of control and were losers of 25 of 31 games.

As the losses piled up, it became increasingly difficult to find silver linings in each game.

But that hasn’t been the case this year.

“It’s a lot more fun [this season],” Anderson said. “We’re doing our own thing, so it’s cool. We’ve been having a good time.”

Said right-hander Lucas Giolito: “The vibes in the clubhouse, in the dugout, we’re loose. Even if we’re down a couple of runs in a game, we know that our bats are really good. We can come back late in the game, tie a game up. . . . All around, I think everybody is kind of jelling more and more each day. We’re having more fun on the plane, on the bus, and that camaraderie is coming out on the field.”

The Sox have an 18-21 record compared to a 10-29 mark last season after 39 games. As expected, they’re still experiencing growing pains, but several key players have shown noticeable improvement, including Anderson and Yoan Moncada.

Anderson, who already has eight home runs, had his sixth game of three or more hits, tying him with Twins infielder Jorge Polanco for the American League lead. He’s hitting .331.

Meanwhile, Moncada, who’s hitting .277, is showing improved judgment at the plate. He has seven homers and 26 RBI.

Jimenez, who is out with a high ankle sprain but is expected to start a minor-league rehab assignment early this week, also has shown flashes in his first season in the majors.

“We have seen growth,” Renteria said. “Right now, we’re certainly in a better place, I believe. I think that the younger guys that we expect to improve are improving, and the overall well-being of the clubhouse is more solid right now than it was last year.”

Renteria, however, hasn’t lost sight of the Sox’ main objective.

“Our goal or our view of where we’re at as an organization and as a club continues to be looking forward,” Renteria said. “My concern is how well we play because these guys are developing, and if we play good baseball, that process takes care of the wins and losses. And I think we’re in a better place, for sure.”

Anderson said the positive energy is contagious among his teammates.

“We’ve been playing pretty well,” he said. “We’re coming together as a team, and I think we all know what we’re trying to do, and that’s go out and play hard and see what happens. And good things have been happening.”