The Chicago White Sox (82-77) are celebrating a momentous achievement. They defeated the Kansas City Royals 9-1 in their Thursday afternoon meeting, and that victory clinched a playoff spot for Chicago's South Side team.
The White Sox had endured three consecutive brutal seasons, losing 100 games from 2023 through 2025. The 2024 season was particularly painful as the White Sox lost a record 121 games. That's the most of any team in the post-expansion era.
The White Sox hired Will Venable to take over as manager prior to the 2025 season, and while it was a difficult year, the team appeared to turn a corner as the team promoted younger players and they played a much more competitive brand of baseball.
However, this year the White Sox developed into a long ball hitting team as Munetaka Murakami, Miguel Vargas and Colson Montgomery all exceeded the 30-home run mark. The White Sox surged to the top of the AL Central for the majority of the season. They still have a shot at the division crown, but they are battling the Cleveland Guardians (82-76) for that title.
Nevertheless, Venable was thrilled for his players that they have clinched a spot in the postseason. “It's awesome,” Venable said. “These guys believed in themselves from the beginning of spring training. They put the work in and they executed. It's now about these guys enjoying themselves. After that, you can be sure we will get back to work.”
The White Sox close the season at home against the Colorado Rockies, while the Guardians will face the Royals in a 3-game series to close the year. If the two teams finish tied, the White Sox own the tie breaker.