{"id":790477,"date":"2026-05-12T06:26:20","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T06:26:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/790477\/"},"modified":"2026-05-12T06:26:20","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T06:26:20","slug":"white-sox-have-come-a-long-way-baby","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/790477\/","title":{"rendered":"White Sox have come a long way, baby"},"content":{"rendered":"

At the quarter mark of the 2026 season, the White Sox<\/a> are easily in the best shape they have been in the standings in four years.<\/p>\n

There was nowhere to go but up after three consecutive seasons with 100 or more losses. You can measure the Sox\u2019 improvement by the numbers, not just the vibe.<\/p>\n

Forty games into the 162-game schedule, the Sox are 19-21. It\u2019s their best 40-game start since 2022, when they were 20-20 on May 21 after taking the first game of a doubleheader against the Yankees.<\/p>\n

That .500 record foreshadowed an 81-81 season that started a rapid disintegration of a team that was supposed to do big things.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s where the Sox stand after 40 games and where they stood in each of the last three painful seasons:<\/p>\n

\u2022 2026: 19-21, 171 runs scored, 185 runs allowed. Final record: ?<\/p>\n

\u2022 2025: 11-29, 135 runs scored, 172 runs allowed. Final record: 60-102.<\/p>\n

\u2022 2024: 12-28, 119 runs scored, 202 runs allowed. Final record 41-121, setting a modern-era record for losses.<\/p>\n

\u2022 2023: 13-27, 169 runs scored, 241 runs allowed. Final record: 61-101.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018If you look at it on a daily basis, on a nightly basis, we feel like we have a chance to win,\u2019\u2019 general manager Chris Getz said at the start of the Sox\u2019 homestand. \u2018\u2018In the past, it was more [that] you almost needed to be perfect.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018Now the lineup is deeper. You know the rotation is deeper. We\u2019ve got some weapons in the bullpen that will allow us to navigate and finish off games. And the defense is improved.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

A marquee slugger in Munetaka Murakami has made a difference. Big-presence batters who flirt with the major-league home-run lead not only generate deep drives and headlines, they also change the dynamics of a lineup.<\/p>\n

Second-year shortstop Colson Montgomery hopes to take advantage of it as he continues to adjust to major-league pitching.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018It\u2019s completely different,\u2019\u2019 Montgomery said before the Sox\u2019 2-1, come-from-behind victory Sunday against the Mariners. \u2018\u2018We have guys at the end of our lineup who get on base a lot. We have more guys able to put the ball in the seats and hit home runs. I think it\u2019s all really good.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

Beyond Murakami, Montgomery points to third baseman Miguel Vargas, who has been striking the ball with authority more consistently.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018Yeah, I think me, Mune and Vargas are all really good at [being run-producers],\u2019\u2019 Montgomery said. \u2018\u2018It just feels like every single time I\u2019m up to bat, either Vargas or Mune, they are on base. There\u2019s opportunities to drive guys in.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

Despite injuries, such as to catcher Kyle Teel and outfielder Everson Pereira, the Sox\u2019 offense is at its best through 40 games since 2022. They were an AL-leading 25-15 and had scored 216 runs at this point en route to winning the AL Central at 93-69 in 2021.<\/p>\n

Montgomery is hitting only .221, but he has 10 homers and 28 RBI through 40 games. Murakami has 15 homers and 29 RBI with a .232 average and, as expected, 60 strikeouts in 173 plate appearances. Vargas is batting .230 with nine homers and 22 RBI.<\/p>\n

But don\u2019t let the low averages be a guide, Montgomery said.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018I don\u2019t look at my average; I don\u2019t,\u2019\u2019 Montgomery said. \u2018\u2018I know a lot of people are like, \u2018They only hit this amount.\u2019 But I just look at production and on-base percentage, OPS, things like that. Those things are what\u2019s going to help you win games.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

The Sox\u2019 .231 batting average is 25th in the majors and 13th in the AL. Their run production, however, isn\u2019t as low: 18th in MLB and ninth in the AL.<\/p>\n

Then there are the intangibles. The Sox have been upbeat, not moping their way to the bottom. \u2018\u2018A young, aggressive team having fun\u2019\u2019 seems to be a common theme.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018We\u2019re looking for winning-type players that are focused on, you know, \u2018What am I going to do to help this team win?\u2019\u2009\u2019\u2019 Getz said. \u2018\u2018And that\u2019s starting to seep into this organization as a whole.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

They\u2019ll meet up again this weekend, when the Cubs travel to Rate Field for the first round of the Crosstown Showdown with the White Sox.<\/p>\n

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Look, any school can go 100-plus years without a conference championship in baseball. That streak is over in Hyde Park, where the Division III Maroons are gearing up for the NCAA Tournament.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI feel really good right now, just excited to get playing again,\u2018\u2018 Teel said. \u201cIt\u2019s been a minute, so just looking forward to it.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Randy Arozarena raced in to catch Miguel Vargas\u2019 fly, which was measured at 243 feet by Statcast. Sox third-base coach Justin Jirschele sent Drew Romo, and the gamble paid off.<\/p>\n

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