The Chicago White Sox are keeping themselves in first in the American League Central. Chicago got a huge win over the Cleveland Guardians on Monday, to keep distance between them and the Guardians in the standings. A Major League Baseball analyst is getting honest about Chicago's chances of finally returning to the MLB Playoffs.

“If the White Sox make the playoffs, that at-bat from Tristan Peters will be the reason why,” baseball insider Steve Phillips said on MLB Network Radio. “….that was a huge win for them.”

Tristan Peters had an 18-pitch walk to help lift Chicago over Cleveland Monday. It was one of the longest plate appearances in MLB history.

“Peters’ plate appearance also matched Adam Kennedy for the most pitches in a walk, accomplished on June 10, 2004, for the Angels against the Brewers, and it was the longest in the Majors this season,” MLB.com reported.

Peters joked around about the situation after the game.

“It felt like I was up there for like an hour,” Peters said. “I was exhausted.”

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The win keeps Chicago obviously in the driver's seat to win the division. The White Sox currently have a 1.5 game lead on Cleveland in the AL Central. The Guardians can still gain ground, as the series is ongoing on Tuesday and Wednesday.

It has been ages since the White Sox were this good. The club was mired in 100-loss seasons the last few years, and underwent a lot of change. Franchise star Luis Robert Jr. was shipped away before the 2026 campaign and it seemed like the team would once again be mired in mediocrity.

Chicago though has found something special in their young players. Peters, along with rookie Munetaka Murakami and others, have helped lift the team. White Sox fans are hopeful this year's club will finally get back to the MLB Playoffs.

Chicago is now 77-73 on the year after Monday's win. The White Sox play Cleveland again on Tuesday.