By Salem Chicago News Staff
CHICAGO — Despite a 9-6 loss to the Rockies on Saturday night that ended their AL Central title hopes, the White Sox expressed confidence and excitement about their postseason chances heading into Tuesday’s Wild Card Series.
Cleveland clinched the division Saturday, pushing the White Sox into the Wild Card round. The mood in the clubhouse shifted quickly from disappointment to anticipation.
“Excited,” second baseman Sam Antonacci said without hesitation when asked to describe the team’s collective feeling.
The loss featured a rough start by Davis Martin, who allowed three runs in two-thirds of an inning. Shortstop Colson Montgomery struck out as the tying run in the sixth inning, extending his MLB-record strikeout total to 225. He then hit into an inning-ending double play in the eighth with runners on first and third.
But the White Sox bounced back Sunday with a 4-2 victory over Colorado, finishing the season 84-78. Left-hander Anthony Kay allowed one run in five innings to earn the win.
“I don’t think anyone really expected it,” Kay said. “We had a vision and we executed it. But I don’t think anyone saw the kind of success that we had. Hopefully we can continue it as long as possible.”
The White Sox became the first team in MLB history to reach the postseason after losing 100-plus games in at least two consecutive seasons. They went 41-121 in 2024 and 102 losses in 2025 before their dramatic 2026 turnaround.
General manager Chris Getz reflected on the journey after Thursday’s playoff-clinching victory.
“There’s been so many lessons along the way,” Getz said. “Not only did so many players continue to develop, they figured out how to win and accomplish something together. We are not done, but man, it feels really good right now.”
Third baseman Miguel Vargas, who broke out in 2026 with 33 home runs and 22 stolen bases, was part of the 2024 squad that set the modern-era record for losses.
“We’ve been chasing this moment for a long time,” Vargas said. “It’s special for us, it’s special for the organization. It’s a special group of guys.”
Starter Sean Burke set the tone for the team’s postseason mentality.
“From the outside people might see pressure on us, but I’ve never felt like that once in the clubhouse,” Burke said. “We are in a really good spot heading into the postseason.”
The White Sox drew 1,986,416 fans to Rate Field this season, their highest attendance since 2022.
“They’ve been awesome,” Kay said of the fans. “Hopefully we can go far enough so we can get a couple of home games for them, and being able to experience that will be really special.”
The White Sox open the AL Wild Card Series at the Astros on Tuesday at 4 p.m. CT.
Source: MLB.com — White Sox News
