CINCINNATI, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 15: Rhett Lowder #25 of the Cincinnati Reds throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Great American Ball Park on September 15, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Elly De La Cruz reached his 30-30 milestone during Friday night’s loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, meaning the Cincinnati Reds now have a pair of games left in their 2026 season with roughly nothing left to play for.
That’s true for most of the roster, in all honesty. For Rhett Lowder, though, there’s at least the chance to finish the season on something of a positive note after he’s been mostly bashed around all season. He gets the start today opposite fellow rookie Trey Yesavage, who has had a much more positive 2026 campaign.
Carlos Jorge is back in the leadoff spot, while Juan Brito is mercifully playing 3B so that we don’t have to watch Ke’Bryan Hayes out there.
First pitch is set for 3:07 PM ET. Here’s how both teams will line up to begin things:
ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Blues kept their depth forwards in tact on Saturday.
The team assigned Oskar Sundqvist, Nathan Walker and Jack Finley to Springfield of the American Hockey League after none of the three were claimed on waivers.
Each was exposed on Friday after not being on the ice, while Zach Dean and Dillon Dube were, indicating that those two won out the battle for the 13th and 14th forward slots, something that should become a formality when NHL rosters are due to be reported to the league by 4 p.m. (CT) on Monday.
The training camp is now down to 25 and the Blues have to make two more transactions, and those are expected to be goalie Georgii Romanov, who will back up Joel Hofer against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday, will go on waivers Sunday for the purpose of getting him to the Thunderbirds, and with Calle Rosen still with the big club, it is expected that Tyler Tucker is likely headed to injured reserve with a tweaked right knee.
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SAN FRANCISCO ― When it's all said and done, no one is looking at the San Francisco Giants' 2026 season as a success but instead a learning curve. If anyone is willing to learn, it's first-year baseball manager Tony Vitello.
A weekend matchup against the Giants' longtime rival, the Los Angeles Dodgers, will conclude the rookie season for Vitello. The Giants were handed their 95th loss of the season after losing to the Dodgers in a 2-0 shutout in front of a sold-out crowd of 40,770 at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Friday, Sept. 25. The series continues through Sunday.
Two games remain in the season, and it's to the drawing board for Vitello and the Giants. The first-year skipper understands that improvements need to be made in order for this team to be winners.
"A lot of takeaways are little, but they pile up over 162 games, which we're close to. They pile up for sure. I think one of the conversations or many of the conversations that I've gone over in the last week are there needs to be improvement in all areas," Vitello told USA TODAY Sports. "And I'm not exempt from that. I don't think anyone is exempt from that. I think improvement is needed. There's a lot of information. Information is power. You got to take it and you got to make it useful."
Vitello on first MLB season: "Strikes and gutters"
No one could have predicted the kind of season the Giants would have, especially with a first-year MLB manager. Vitello was a gamble coming in from a successful college coaching stint of seven seasons at Tennessee, leading the Vols to its first college World Series in 2024.
There was optimism that the fresh face could bring a new energy, changing the momentum in the Bay Area. Then reality struck.
A number of player injuries prevented the team from fielding its best lineup. Several players were also dealt at the trade deadline, like Heliot Ramos and Robbie Ray. They suffered critical losses early in the season. On top of that, superstars and individuals paid like stars were a shell of themselves, statistically. It was an overall rocky start to the year and they never recovered.
Were there good moments throughout the 162 games, sure. Milestones were achieved, walk-offs and comeback wins were celebrated.
With growth comes growing pains. There were plenty of those during the 2026 season between dugout-clearing fights, bad losses, ejections, and a number of head-shaking moments.
Vitello quoted The Big Lebowski's "strikes and gutters" when describing the learning curve as a manager.
"Ups and downs. Big Lebowski said 'strikes and gutters.' You gotta manage both, which I think has always been a challenge, but it's just at this level it's more relentless. It's every day. Fortunately, (I) got really good people to lean on to make it an enjoyable year, despite the record," Vitello told USA TODAY. "But I don't think anybody that will ever step foot in this park is satisfied with the results and the outcome.
You can only control so much of those but you can control a lot on how you approach getting to those outcomes and results. Those have to be attacked relentlessly, attacked with a passion."
Giants lock in on young prospects going into offseason
Towards the end of the season, San Francisco has been forced to take a look at younger prospects on the team due to injuries to projected starters and stars such as Harrison Bader, Casey Schmitt, Matt Chapman, Daniel Susac and a number of pitchers in their bullpen.
Some of the younger cats getting playing time have been taking full advantage of their opportunities. Third-base coach Gary Pettis has taken notice of those making noise and a name for themselves such as Jonah Cox, Turner Hill, Víctor Bericoto and Christian Koss.
"Cox would be one of the guys that comes to mind right away. Exciting player, can do a lot of things. Then you have Turner out in left field, Victor Bericoto. I mean, Christian Koss has done a good job for us at shortstop. You know, Kavanaugh behind the plate," Pettis told USA TODAY Sports. "We've got a lot of guys that have been given an opportunity to play, and so far they're handling it well. But I also think that they're learning the difference between playing minor league baseball and major league baseball, mentally."
Giants pitcher Dylan Smith is another one of those players making the most of their opportunities to play, especially as he looks to plug a bruised bullpen. Smith was traded from the Detroit Tigers to San Francisco at the start of the 2026 season. He's been determined to put in the necessary work to find a place on a team in need of pitching.
"The biggest part I'll say is just the hard work and determination. Like, you have to go out there each and every day, and you have to go prove yourself," Smith told USA TODAY Sports. "You got to go out there and dominate and attack the hitters. And (you) got to do it every day, you know can't have no days off, especially being in the bullpen. Each time, it matters."
Although not a starter, Smith appeared in 48 games. He has four saves in 2026 as a reliever. Overall, he's posted a 1-6 win-loss record with a 3.31 ERA and 1.30 WHIP. He's delivered 48 strikeouts in 51.2 innings pitched.
Against the Dodgers on Friday, Sept. 25, Smith pitched one inning and struck out three batters. No hits, runs or batters walked were allowed. He is looking to find a home in San Francisco, an organization scraping for pitchers to improve its bullpen after multiple injuries all year long.
"I feel like you gotta build on each and every opportunity that you get, you know," Smith said. "I feel like as long as we have each other's back and we go out there and compete and do what we do, then I feel like the bullpen's gonna be fine."
San Francisco's young players still have building blocks to develop in order to be a more competitive team in the future. The potential is there in the Giants' organization; Vitello said it's about making valuable use of their time during the offseason.
"(I think) rounding things out with some of these guys and making sure they attack the offseason the right way. This offseason will be more important than arguably any offseason in the big leagues. It's always a time to separate yourself from people," Vitello told USA TODAY. "Whether it's you as an individual trying to grab a job, or reach some individual goals and ultimately a team is made up of individuals so if the team is going to be better, that's gotta be a key.
"So I think that's gotta be done before anything," he added. "Obviously you got to refresh a little bit too. But a big thing is again, the information piece, reflect back on some things. You do have the benefit of slowing things down or watching a replay and saying what if, or this and changing some things. I don't think that can wait until it's start time. It's gotta be put in place ahead of time and then maybe that message is relayed ahead of time to the players as well."
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 22: Michael Harris II #23 of the Atlanta Braves lays down a bunt in the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Truist Park on September 22, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Walt Weiss is putting Michael Harris back at the leadoff spot, hoping he can get the centerfielder going after a difficult September, as we approach the playoffs. Austin Riley was bumped back up to the fifth spot, as he has perhaps been better in the second half, but has had a monthly best wRC+ of just 101 this season. If there were ever a time for Austin to turn it around, this postseason sure would be a fun time for it.
Meanwhile, the fish are rolling with a familiarly unimpressive lineup in a game with nothing but draft stakes for them. They also helpfully note that the roof will be closed in their stadium.
Munetaka Murakami has been a bit of a viral sensation from the start of his career in the United States, from the installation of bidets in the White Sox clubhouse to the on-base gestures of his teammates, and on from there. His latest bit of endearing hilarity came during the White Sox clubhouse celebration in Kansas City on Thursday, when his tribute to countryman Munenori Kawasaki became a viral moment:
If there’s any T-shirt offered this season that better encapsulates the joy of the 2026 White Sox, you’ve found it here!
And remember, anything else you buy with our link, whether a Mariners mug or Spurs sweatshirt, gives South Side Sox a commission and helps us continue to provide the best coverage we can for you.
So go ahead and express yourself, courtesy of South Side Sox and BreakingT!
With the remarkable achievement of the 2026 Chicago White Sox — making the postseason after three straight 100-loss seasons, something that’s not been accomplished even after “just” two straight 100-loss seasons — BreakingT has gear for you that breaks down the math!
There is even a nod to Mike Vasil’s magic wand. If there’s any T-shirt offered this season that better encapsulates all that these 2026 White Sox are, you’ve found it here!
And remember, anything else you buy with our link, whether a Brewers mug or Dolphins sweatshirt, gives South Side Sox a commission and helps us continue to provide the best coverage we can for you.
So go ahead and crunch the numbers, courtesy of South Side Sox and BreakingT!
You gotta admit, it’s a pretty impossibly clever design, with the moon “O” and a bit of a nod to silent film Le Voyage dans la Lune. No doubt it will make a snappy addition to your closet.
And remember, anything else you buy with our link, whether a Pirates mug or Yankees sweatshirt, gives South Side Sox a commission and helps us continue to provide the best coverage we can for you.
So go ahead a book your trip to the Mune, from South Side Sox and BreakingT!
(Every purchase you make with our link drops a few pennies in the jar here at South Side Sox, so a list of all our prior BreakingT collaborations follow, below. Yes, some of the designs are now hilariously outdated collector’s items. But most, if not all of these, should still be available, so click a link and see!)
This link takes you to this newest T-shirt, plus our entire line of White Sox wear!
While several members of the Chicago White Sox will need your votes for the July All-Star Game, fans are encouraged to punch the Robert/Jiménez ticket for a dominant South Side outfield all season long!
Whether you’re voting offense (what say, 70 homers among them?) or defense (Luis already has a Gold Glove, Eloy is … still alive), there’s no better campaign to get behind.
With everyone now aware that on his 23rd try, Minnie Miñoso was elected to the Hall of Fame. And Breaking T has commemorated the nickname that manager Paul Richards bestowed on Minnie almost immediately after his arrival on the South Side:
Celebrate the White Sox moments of your life with the entire Chicago W Collection at Breaking T, where you can peruse everything available. Or, if you want to read all my terrific catalog copy for each item, just scroll down and enjoy!
The White Sox indeed did make a free agent acquisition or two before the lockout, so it’s well past time to raise our glasses to the Legend himself: Leury Legend, that is.
He’s the longest-tenured current White Sox player, and when he’s done, he could well crack the list of all-time White Sox. Can you believe it? Welcome back, Leury!
To celebrate the division title for 2021, Breaking T offers two new T-shirt designs commemorating the feat:
Certainly, we hope there will be more than just a division title to enjoy over the next month or so, but we have to start somewhere!
Contrary to the cynics among you, we haven’t featured every Breaking T White Sox design here at South Side Sox, for various reasons. But I’ve never seen one more confounding than the José Abreu and Eloy Jiménez Sugar Skulls designs.
If you scroll down far enough, I think you can see the original Yasmani Grandal Breaking T piece, Yaz We Can, which I think was pretty clever and should have pulled a lot of fans in with purchases. It was definitely different, as far as Breaking T fare.
But I don’t remember it doing all that well, which was a shame. Maybe Yaz isn’t sexy. Walks aren’t, as someone on Twitter wants to tell you every day.
Yasmani really is the bad boy of the White Sox. He’ll snark you. He’ll roll his eyes. He’s not out to please anyone. He’s just gonna be a badass catcher who drops the bat after clocking one a mile, thank you very much.
In just his second game back after a season-long stint on the IL, Eloy Jiménez announced his presence in the White Sox lineup with authority, hitting a home run and providing whirling dervish defense in Tuesday’s win at K.C.
It’s great to have Eloy back with the club in any capacity, and him starring in just his second game back is extra sweet. Now you can wear that sweetness!
It was a quite a moment on Monday, seizing a win from the jaws of a doubleheader sweep. When you’re running away with a division, tension can seem manufactured, but Len Kasper gave us a classic moment that our own Joe Resis likened to A.J. Pierzynski’s walk-off against the Dodgers during the 2005 season. Listen to Len last night:
Here it is! @cleansheets24 hits a walk-off HR and @LenKasper loses his mind!
The White Sox just keep humming along, with great pick-me-ups from the most unlikely of places. Waiver-wire pickup Billy Hamilton has managed to become a core bench and spot-start piece for the club as it ascending in the AL Central, and the veteran made his defensive presence known, with authority, in the ninth inning of Tuesday’s win at Minnesota:
You don’t usually expect to have to persuade your manager to defend his own player, but here we are. And in the Tony La Russa-Yermín Mercedes kerfuffle, we (and all of the White Sox players) are Team Yermín.
So is Breaking T, who’s issuing this “I’m Yermín” wear in solidarity with the rookie sensation:
Well, perhaps you’ve been waiting for a more “authentic” Yerminator T-Shirt, something more “as seen on TV.” Well, here you have it!
Terminator vibe? Check. Super cool uniform easter egg in the shades? Check. Money actually going to the players association to benefit minimum-salaried players like Yermín himself? Check.
It’s a sharp piece, with the clever use of accent mark, complete with high socks! (If only it was a warmer night, we’d have Rodón dressed in his full Grant Park 16´´softballer mode … #JulyGoalsForLos.)
As you well know, you don’t have to go 5-for-5 in your first MLB start or start a season 8-for-8 to merit a cool Breaking T shirt. But it doesn’t hurt!
Celebrate our Yermín Spring with The Yerminator, a delightful play off of everyone’s favorite killer robot-turned-sweet hero. Hoodies, Ts, we’ve got the gear.
Perhaps because he was injured for half of his first season, or he doesn’t have a snappy nickname yet, or he’s such a grinder he doesn’t lend himself to chest-emblazoned graphics, Nick Madrigal has to date missed the cut as a T-shirt subject.
To welcome our new, colorful closer, Liam Hendriks, Breaking T has gone positively Greek with the Australian, with Hercu-Liam!
Breaking T put together four great purchase options for Hercu-Liam, from petite to husky, winter bundling to summer sunning.
And click here to view everything in Breaking T’s White Sox collection in one spot.
Individual links below should get you to other White Sox products on site, including the Classic Collection that features the Ed Farmer and Mark Buehrle T-shirts.
To welcome our newest (and top WAR) starter into the rotation, Breaking T has drawn up some Lance Lynn-wear sure to please the bearded fan on your holiday shopping list, with Lynnsanity!
The big man is in town and ready to push the rotation toward a World Series!
I first got word of this shirt just as José Abreu was homering and singling in runs during the 2020 season.
And Breaking T’s hunch became reality, as José Abreu became the first White Sox MVP since Frank Thomas and only the fourth player, after Nellie Fox, Dick Allen and Thomas to win the award.
And peruse the rest of the collection below to add to your order and combine shipping.
Clubbing homers and scoring runs like there’s no tomorrow, the Chicago White Sox Murderer’s Row of Eloy Jiménez, José Abreu, Tim Anderson and Luis Robert is the subject of a new BreakingT shirt:
Some real nice details in this one: Each players’ expression, the gangster pinstripes, and the exotic player numbers among them. Grab one at BreakingT.
With Luis Robert not only staking his claim on AL Rookie of the Year but MVP, it makes sense that BreakingT is working overtime to present the best Panterawear out there.
Dig this supercool 1983 nod, which you can order here.
Looking for Luis Robert to assume his La Pantera form? BreakingT has you covered. Order here and celebrate the future MVP!
I’m digging the silhouette.
The 19th no-hitter in White Sox history is in the books, by none other than ace Lucas Giolito. So it’s time to celebrate the Gio No-No! It’s a quick, and slick, commemoration of an incredible, 101-pitch masterpiece, dated and suitable for a Gio auto!
Snag one here, and take a look at numerous other wonderful Breaking T offerings below.
So, it was bound to happen, but BreakingT is first on the scene to promote the latest dance party sweeping Soxdom: DANCING FOR DUBS
Featuring the boogie-down duo of Zack Collins and Danny Mendick, the T-shirt and/or hoodie is available in all sizes, so take a look now.
Running on speed and power, folded into the Change the Game platform, we’re now making these sweet Ts available so you can elect them to a six-year term lasting until 2026.
He’s only the hottest rookie — nay, the hottest player — in baseball heading into 2020.
So, BreakingT was watching ESPN on Sunday and said, “hey, that’s right, Tim Anderson speaks the truth: the preeminent sports network in America is sleeping on the White Sox again.”
All shapes and sizes are available, in T-shirt or hoodie.
Stay tuned for some excellent new merch dropping on Friday as well.
How about pairing it with the original classic?
Our best seller, the incomparable Tim Anderson neck-bow of STICK TALK!
BreakingT has a bunch of terrific ideas they’ve collaborated with us on for their newest designs in conjunction with the MLB Players Alumni Association. This one is, simply, Mister Perfect, commemorating Mark Buehrle’s perfect game in 2009:
The first White Sox product from BreakingT’s Classic Collection was a beautiful tribute to our Ed Farmer:
Order it here. When you click on our link to buy, we will donate a portion of the proceeds we see from these shirt sales in Farmer’s name to the Polycystic Kidney Disease Research Foundation (support.pkdcure.org).
Throughout the season, the California Post power-ranked MLB’s 30 teams and checked in on intriguing awards races. Records as of Saturday morning:
1) Brewers (101-59): A+
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski delivers a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles in the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, in Baltimore. AP Photo/Gail Burton
It was another perfect regular season for the Brewers, who won 100 games for the first time in franchise history to clinch the best record in the majors. Of course, their repeated failures in recent postseasons mean the real test is still to come in October. They have one superstar in Jacob Misiorowski but will need others to emerge in this year’s playoffs.
2) Dodgers (98-62): A
It was a familiar story for the Dodgers this year. A hot start. A second-half slump. Plenty of injuries along the way. Yet, another division crown that sets them up for another deep October run. That formula has worked the past two years for the two-time defending champions. Their real grade this season will depend on whether they can complete a World Series three-peat.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani walks in the dugout before the first inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in San Francisco. AP Photo/Jeff Chiu
3) Rays (97-63): A+
After two years of missing the playoffs, the Rays had a very Rays-esque season. Uncovered gems on the mound. A relentlessly consistent lineup at the plate. And, as a result, the AL’s best record — and their best chance to get back to the World Series since 2020.
4) Braves (93-67): A
The Braves are back in the playoffs and back atop the NL East, rebounding as hoped from a disappointing 86-loss campaign last season that snapped a six-year postseason streak.
5) Yankees (93-68): B+
This grade might’ve been higher, if not for the uncertainty shrouding the Bronx Bombers as they enter the postseason. They managed to survive one extended Aaron Judge absence this regular season. Trying to do so again in October would be a tall task.
6) Padres (89-71): A-
In the weeks leading up to the trade deadline, the Padres seemed bound to be sellers. But then their offense — especially Fernando Tatis Jr. — came back to life. They bolstered their rotation by being buyers at the trade deadline instead. And now they are back in the playoffs as a potential dark horse, thanks to their 16-5 record in September.
7) Cubs (88-73): B+
The Cubs are back in the playoffs for a second straight year. They have the presumptive National League MVP in Pete Crow-Armstrong. And they managed to overcome a wave of pitching injuries. Now, they will try to mount a deeper October run after being knocked out in Game 5 of the NLDS last year.
8) Red Sox (87-74): B+
A strange regular season in Boston has reached a satisfactory ending, with the Red Sox — led by interim-now-turned-permanent manager Chad Tracy — getting a shot to avenge last year’s postseason elimination to the Yankees in next week’s wild-card series.
9) Phillies (87-73): Incomplete
Check back with us on Sunday night for this final grade. Because after seemingly salvaging their nightmarish start to the season under interim manager Don Mattingly, the Phillies are flirting with what would be a monumental September collapse, having yet to secure their place in the playoffs amid a 2-5 slump this week.
Philadelphia Phillies’ Trea Turner reacts after a strikeout in the fourth inning during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. Getty Images
10) Diamondbacks (86-74): B-
We are only tentatively grading the Dbacks for now, thanks to their slim (but very much possible) chances of sneaking into the playoffs. If they don’t, it will be another conflicting season for the Dbacks, who have won 80-plus games in four straight seasons but still have just their surprise 2023 World Series run to show for it.
11) Guardians (84-76): A
The Guardians did what they do this season. Prevent runs. Score just enough. Fly under the radar for most of the year. Then round into form late to (most likely) win another AL Central title.
12) White Sox (83-77): A
This could still become an A+ if the White Sox wind up winning the AL Central. But even if not, the South Siders have been the most pleasant surprise in the majors this season, going from three straight 100-loss seasons to an upstart playoff berth with their young and promising roster.
13/14) Astros/Rangers (79-81): Incomplete
To be clear, neither of these teams has had a good 2026. And yet, they both enter the final days of the season with a chance to win the AL West — even though they can finish no better than .500. It will be the first time in MLB history a team will make the playoffs without a winning record. What a year in the AL West.
Cam Smith (11) of the Houston Astros celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run in the top of the seventh inning against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Friday, September 25, 2026. Getty Images
15) Pirates (81-79): C+
Good news: The Pirates avoided a losing record for the first time since 2018. Bad news: It wasn’t enough to keep them in playoff contention despite a surprisingly productive year from their offense.
16) Marlins (79-81): C+
The Marlins flirted with playoff contention for a while before ultimately fading down the stretch. They could be poised to take another step next year. Then again, they’ve looked that way before (remember that surprise playoff appearance in 2023?) and been unable to keep progressing.
17) Orioles (79-82): D
The Orioles’ signing of Pete Alonso worked out. But little else did in Baltimore this year. The once-budding contender has now missed the playoffs in two straight years after being swept in back-to-back postseasons the two years before that.
Given nonexistent preseason expectations, the rebuilding Cardinals mostly accomplished what they wanted to this year. They have young talent in Jordan Walker and JJ Wetherholt. They have rebuilt what is now a highly ranked farm system. And they look like a team capable of making a jump in 2027 and beyond.
20) Nationals (76-84): C
The Nats were never serious playoff contenders (their MLB-record 42 blown saves made sure of that). But they have identified a core of young talent to build around. Whether they will spend to add the necessary pieces around them, however, remains to be seen.
21) Mets (73-87): D-
The Mets can only hope this train wreck of a year serves as some sort of cleanse as they look to retool their roster this winter. The only thing that saved this from being an F was their second-half performance under another interim-now-turned-permanent manager in Andy Green.
New York Mets interim manager Andy Green (70) talks with umpire James Hoye (92) after a called third strike against the Washington Nationals during the eighth inning at Nationals Park in Washington, Friday, September 25, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
22) Twins (76-84): C
For some reason, the Twins were intent on being playoff contenders this year. For a while, they hung around in a bad AL wild-card race. But in the end, they’ve wound up back where they started: With an OK, but not-at-all contending, roster that leaves them stuck in MLB’s no-man’s land.
23) Tigers (75-85): D
How much will the Tigers rue their decision to not maximize Tarik Skubal’s trade value by dealing him last winter? It could depend, first and foremost, on River Ryan’s development in their rotation. At the least, he offered signs of promise with a scoreless three-inning debut with the team this week.
24) Reds (74-86): D
Whatever momentum the Reds thought they were building after last year’s postseason berth vanished this summer, despite Elly De La Cruz cementing himself as one of the best players in baseball. The next time their owner asks why they aren’t the Brewers, someone should hold up a mirror.
25) Mariners (74-86): F
At the beginning of the year, only the Dodgers had a higher probability of making the playoffs (according to FanGraphs’ computer models) than the Mariners’ 80.9% mark. Instead, they suffered what might be the most disappointing season in their long-tortured history. They could be good again next year. But this season was a reminder that’s anything but a guarantee.
26) Royals (68-92): D
Another disastrous Royals season leaves them facing an existential crisis, trying to figure out how to return to competitiveness before they waste the prime of Bobby Witt Jr.’s career.
27) Giants (65-95): F
The Giants thought they could be contenders this year. Instead, they now find themselves at a crossroads. They have little choice but to run it back with their thus-far disappointing core of Willy Adames, Matt Chapman and Rafael Devers (plus Logan Webb). But this year, they looked a long way off from even being competitive.
28) Athletics (64-96): D-
There was some thought before the year that the Athletics’ young roster could be feisty. Now, the only question is how much longer they have to waste away in their minor-league ballpark purgatory.
29) Angels (62-98): C
This grade has little to do with the Angels’ on-field product, as they flirt with what would be the first 100-loss season in franchise history, and everything to do with the changes they’ve made behind the scenes. New owner. New front office. And for the first time in a while, new reason for long-term hope.
30) Rockies (57-103): D
The best thing we can say about the Rockies: They proved slightly tougher to beat during this 100-loss season, as opposed to each of the three previous ones they have suffered the last three years. Progress!
Awards Predictions
Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong acknowledges the crowd after stealing second base during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Thursday, September 24, 2026. It was his 40th stolen base. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
With the remarkable achievement of the 2026 Chicago White Sox — making the postseason after three straight 100-loss seasons, something that’s not been accomplished even after “just” two straight 100-loss seasons — BreakingT has gear for you that breaks down the math!
There is even a nod to Mike Vasil’s magic wand. If there’s any T-shirt offered this season that better encapsulates all that these 2026 White Sox are, you’ve found it here!
And remember, anything else you buy with our link, whether a Brewers mug or Dolphins sweatshirt, gives South Side Sox a commission and helps us continue to provide the best coverage we can for you.
So go ahead and crunch the numbers, courtesy of South Side Sox and BreakingT!
You gotta admit, it’s a pretty impossibly clever design, with the moon “O” and a bit of a nod to silent film Le Voyage dans la Lune. No doubt it will make a snappy addition to your closet.
And remember, anything else you buy with our link, whether a Pirates mug or Yankees sweatshirt, gives South Side Sox a commission and helps us continue to provide the best coverage we can for you.
So go ahead a book your trip to the Mune, from South Side Sox and BreakingT!
(Every purchase you make with our link drops a few pennies in the jar here at South Side Sox, so a list of all our prior BreakingT collaborations follow, below. Yes, some of the designs are now hilariously outdated collector’s items. But most, if not all of these, should still be available, so click a link and see!)
This link takes you to this newest T-shirt, plus our entire line of White Sox wear!
While several members of the Chicago White Sox will need your votes for the July All-Star Game, fans are encouraged to punch the Robert/Jiménez ticket for a dominant South Side outfield all season long!
Whether you’re voting offense (what say, 70 homers among them?) or defense (Luis already has a Gold Glove, Eloy is … still alive), there’s no better campaign to get behind.
With everyone now aware that on his 23rd try, Minnie Miñoso was elected to the Hall of Fame. And Breaking T has commemorated the nickname that manager Paul Richards bestowed on Minnie almost immediately after his arrival on the South Side:
Celebrate the White Sox moments of your life with the entire Chicago W Collection at Breaking T, where you can peruse everything available. Or, if you want to read all my terrific catalog copy for each item, just scroll down and enjoy!
The White Sox indeed did make a free agent acquisition or two before the lockout, so it’s well past time to raise our glasses to the Legend himself: Leury Legend, that is.
He’s the longest-tenured current White Sox player, and when he’s done, he could well crack the list of all-time White Sox. Can you believe it? Welcome back, Leury!
To celebrate the division title for 2021, Breaking T offers two new T-shirt designs commemorating the feat:
Certainly, we hope there will be more than just a division title to enjoy over the next month or so, but we have to start somewhere!
Contrary to the cynics among you, we haven’t featured every Breaking T White Sox design here at South Side Sox, for various reasons. But I’ve never seen one more confounding than the José Abreu and Eloy Jiménez Sugar Skulls designs.
If you scroll down far enough, I think you can see the original Yasmani Grandal Breaking T piece, Yaz We Can, which I think was pretty clever and should have pulled a lot of fans in with purchases. It was definitely different, as far as Breaking T fare.
But I don’t remember it doing all that well, which was a shame. Maybe Yaz isn’t sexy. Walks aren’t, as someone on Twitter wants to tell you every day.
Yasmani really is the bad boy of the White Sox. He’ll snark you. He’ll roll his eyes. He’s not out to please anyone. He’s just gonna be a badass catcher who drops the bat after clocking one a mile, thank you very much.
In just his second game back after a season-long stint on the IL, Eloy Jiménez announced his presence in the White Sox lineup with authority, hitting a home run and providing whirling dervish defense in Tuesday’s win at K.C.
It’s great to have Eloy back with the club in any capacity, and him starring in just his second game back is extra sweet. Now you can wear that sweetness!
It was a quite a moment on Monday, seizing a win from the jaws of a doubleheader sweep. When you’re running away with a division, tension can seem manufactured, but Len Kasper gave us a classic moment that our own Joe Resis likened to A.J. Pierzynski’s walk-off against the Dodgers during the 2005 season. Listen to Len last night:
Here it is! @cleansheets24 hits a walk-off HR and @LenKasper loses his mind!
The White Sox just keep humming along, with great pick-me-ups from the most unlikely of places. Waiver-wire pickup Billy Hamilton has managed to become a core bench and spot-start piece for the club as it ascending in the AL Central, and the veteran made his defensive presence known, with authority, in the ninth inning of Tuesday’s win at Minnesota:
You don’t usually expect to have to persuade your manager to defend his own player, but here we are. And in the Tony La Russa-Yermín Mercedes kerfuffle, we (and all of the White Sox players) are Team Yermín.
So is Breaking T, who’s issuing this “I’m Yermín” wear in solidarity with the rookie sensation:
Well, perhaps you’ve been waiting for a more “authentic” Yerminator T-Shirt, something more “as seen on TV.” Well, here you have it!
Terminator vibe? Check. Super cool uniform easter egg in the shades? Check. Money actually going to the players association to benefit minimum-salaried players like Yermín himself? Check.
It’s a sharp piece, with the clever use of accent mark, complete with high socks! (If only it was a warmer night, we’d have Rodón dressed in his full Grant Park 16´´softballer mode … #JulyGoalsForLos.)
As you well know, you don’t have to go 5-for-5 in your first MLB start or start a season 8-for-8 to merit a cool Breaking T shirt. But it doesn’t hurt!
Celebrate our Yermín Spring with The Yerminator, a delightful play off of everyone’s favorite killer robot-turned-sweet hero. Hoodies, Ts, we’ve got the gear.
Perhaps because he was injured for half of his first season, or he doesn’t have a snappy nickname yet, or he’s such a grinder he doesn’t lend himself to chest-emblazoned graphics, Nick Madrigal has to date missed the cut as a T-shirt subject.
To welcome our new, colorful closer, Liam Hendriks, Breaking T has gone positively Greek with the Australian, with Hercu-Liam!
Breaking T put together four great purchase options for Hercu-Liam, from petite to husky, winter bundling to summer sunning.
And click here to view everything in Breaking T’s White Sox collection in one spot.
Individual links below should get you to other White Sox products on site, including the Classic Collection that features the Ed Farmer and Mark Buehrle T-shirts.
To welcome our newest (and top WAR) starter into the rotation, Breaking T has drawn up some Lance Lynn-wear sure to please the bearded fan on your holiday shopping list, with Lynnsanity!
The big man is in town and ready to push the rotation toward a World Series!
I first got word of this shirt just as José Abreu was homering and singling in runs during the 2020 season.
And Breaking T’s hunch became reality, as José Abreu became the first White Sox MVP since Frank Thomas and only the fourth player, after Nellie Fox, Dick Allen and Thomas to win the award.
And peruse the rest of the collection below to add to your order and combine shipping.
Clubbing homers and scoring runs like there’s no tomorrow, the Chicago White Sox Murderer’s Row of Eloy Jiménez, José Abreu, Tim Anderson and Luis Robert is the subject of a new BreakingT shirt:
Some real nice details in this one: Each players’ expression, the gangster pinstripes, and the exotic player numbers among them. Grab one at BreakingT.
With Luis Robert not only staking his claim on AL Rookie of the Year but MVP, it makes sense that BreakingT is working overtime to present the best Panterawear out there.
Dig this supercool 1983 nod, which you can order here.
Looking for Luis Robert to assume his La Pantera form? BreakingT has you covered. Order here and celebrate the future MVP!
I’m digging the silhouette.
The 19th no-hitter in White Sox history is in the books, by none other than ace Lucas Giolito. So it’s time to celebrate the Gio No-No! It’s a quick, and slick, commemoration of an incredible, 101-pitch masterpiece, dated and suitable for a Gio auto!
Snag one here, and take a look at numerous other wonderful Breaking T offerings below.
So, it was bound to happen, but BreakingT is first on the scene to promote the latest dance party sweeping Soxdom: DANCING FOR DUBS
Featuring the boogie-down duo of Zack Collins and Danny Mendick, the T-shirt and/or hoodie is available in all sizes, so take a look now.
Running on speed and power, folded into the Change the Game platform, we’re now making these sweet Ts available so you can elect them to a six-year term lasting until 2026.
He’s only the hottest rookie — nay, the hottest player — in baseball heading into 2020.
So, BreakingT was watching ESPN on Sunday and said, “hey, that’s right, Tim Anderson speaks the truth: the preeminent sports network in America is sleeping on the White Sox again.”
All shapes and sizes are available, in T-shirt or hoodie.
Stay tuned for some excellent new merch dropping on Friday as well.
How about pairing it with the original classic?
Our best seller, the incomparable Tim Anderson neck-bow of STICK TALK!
BreakingT has a bunch of terrific ideas they’ve collaborated with us on for their newest designs in conjunction with the MLB Players Alumni Association. This one is, simply, Mister Perfect, commemorating Mark Buehrle’s perfect game in 2009:
The first White Sox product from BreakingT’s Classic Collection was a beautiful tribute to our Ed Farmer:
Order it here. When you click on our link to buy, we will donate a portion of the proceeds we see from these shirt sales in Farmer’s name to the Polycystic Kidney Disease Research Foundation (support.pkdcure.org).
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 22: Nathan Eovaldi #17 of the Texas Rangers on the mound during a game against the New York Mets at Globe Life Field on September 22, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Texas Rangers lineup for September 26, 2026 against the Minnesota Twins: starting pitchers are Nathan Eovaldi for the Rangers and Bailey Ober for the Twins.
The Rangers play their penultimate game of the regular season against the Twins. They need a win to avoid a losing season. They also need a win because of the whole A.L. West race going on. Nathan Eovaldi makes his first start since his return from the injured list. We need Big Game Nate to be Big Game Nate today.
The lineup:
Nimmo — RF
Langford — LF
Seager — SS
Burger — 1B
Duran — 3B
Lopez — 2B
Jansen — C
Carter — CF
Osuna — DH
3:10 p.m. Central start time. Rangers are -125 favorites.
A former Colorado Avalanche defenseman could be running out of chances to stick in the NHL.
Caleb Jones, the younger brother of Stanley Cup champion Seth Jones, was placed on waivers Saturday by the Pittsburgh Penguins with the intention of reassigning him to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
The 29-year-old has appeared in just 13 NHL games over the past two seasons, splitting that time between the Los Angeles Kings and Penguins. Jones played seven games for Pittsburgh last season, recording one assist.
Now, his NHL future is once again uncertain.
Jones began his professional career in the Edmonton Oilers organization after being selected in the fourth round of the 2015 NHL Draft. After several seasons developing between the Western Hockey League and AHL, he earned his first NHL opportunity in December 2018, making his debut with Edmonton against the Philadelphia Flyers.
He eventually moved on from Edmonton in 2021, when the Oilers traded him to the Chicago Blackhawks as part of the deal that brought veteran defenseman Duncan Keith to Edmonton.
After two seasons in Chicago, Jones signed with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2023. He never played a regular-season game for Carolina, though, as the Hurricanes traded him to Colorado on Oct. 10, 2023, in exchange for forward Callahan Burke.
Jones had already been assigned to the Colorado Eagles before the trade and eventually made his way into the Avalanche lineup. He appeared in 25 games for Colorado during the 2023-24 season, recording five assists.
That proved to be his only season in burgundy and blue.
Jones left Colorado as a free agent the following summer and signed with the Kings. He appeared in six NHL games with Los Angeles during the 2024-25 season but went scoreless and spent most of the campaign with the Ontario Reign.
Pittsburgh then gave Jones another opportunity, signing him to a two-year, $1.8 million contract in July 2025.
That deal has not gone as planned. Jones was suspended for 20 games without pay in February 2026 for violating the NHL and NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program. He has since bounced between Pittsburgh and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Now, the Penguins are looking to send him back to the AHL once again.
Max Scherzer is not going to rush into a decision about retirement.
Scherzer, the 42-year-old three-time Cy Young Award winner, told reporters in Toronto that he will put off a decision on whether he will pitch in 2027 until the offseason. He plans to make one more appearance, on three days' rest, with the Blue Jays in their season finale Sunday, Sept. 27 at Rogers Centre. Scherzer said he wanted to ensure his wife and children got to see him pitch one more time, regardless of future plans.
Scherzer is a 224-game winner who ranks ninth on Major League Baseball's all-time strikeout list with 3,550 career punchouts. Like his longtime Detroit Tigers teammate, 43-year-old Justin Verlander, Scherzer is a lock for induction into baseball's Hall of Fame.
Verlander, a 266-game winner, ranks eighth on the strikeout list with 3,560 strikeouts; he struck out six in the final game of his career Saturday at Detroit's Comerica Park. It was just his second start of the season after myriad injuries.
Pitching into 2027 would afford Scherzer the chance to pass Verlander if he can't do so Sunday. Scherzer also needs just 91 strikeouts to pass Don Sutton and Tom Seaver and move into sixth place on the all-time list.
Yet Scherzer insisted he's not locked in a can-you-top-this battle with Verlander, his Detroit teammate from 2010-2014. The two have been texting in recent days, he said.
"I hope he goes out there and strikes out the world today," Scherzer told reporters in Toronto.
There's one more potential consideration: Playing one more season would afford Scherzer and Verlander the stage to themselves at their respective Hall of Fame inductions, five years after they retire.
TORONTO, CANADA - SEPTEMBER 16: Max Scherzer #31 of the Toronto Blue Jays delivers a pitch against the Detroit Tigers in their MLB game at Rogers Centre on September 16, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/Getty Images)
Second-to-last day of the regular season.
There isn’t much news. Max Scherzer says he’ll wait until after the season to decide whether he wants to pitch next year, but he’s set to start tomorrow, in front of his kids (just in case). He hasn’t put up numbers that would make me want to re-sign him. 3-9, 6.14 ERA in 77.2 innings; I would rather give those innings to a young pitcher, even if the young pitcher puts up similar numbers. At least a younger pitcher so mature into better numbers.
Over his two seasons with the Jays, he has a 5.64 ERA with an 8-14 record in 34 starts, with 34 home runs, 57 walks and 143 strikeouts in 162.2 innings. He had some very good moments, and he seems like a great teammate and good guy to have around.
He’s not going to become a pitching coach; guys who make $370 million in their career don’t become pitching coaches. It is too much work for too little money. But I’m sure spring training invites will come. He says he’d like to coach youth and amateur baseball.
Justin Verlander is starting today for the Tigers. It will be interesting to see how long he goes. But it would be cool if he could get another strikeout or two. I think I’ll watch.
He looks good in the first: no strikeouts, but three quick outs.
Today’s lineup. No Springer. I hope he gets a standing ovation every at-bat tomorrow. Another guy with a decision to make on playing again next year. He just turned 37. I think this season has been hard on his body, but he might want another go-around. He seems to love being around his teammates.
I don’t know how many teams are looking for a full-time DH. I like the idea of it being a rotating spot, to allow guys to get a break now and then.
The good news is Bateman’s back in the lineup, so we don’t have to spend all winter worrying that his injury is worse than reports.
The Chicago Blackhawks lost Jordan Greenway to injury earlier in the week. He tweaked a lower-body injury and was considered day-to-day.
On Saturday, ahead of their morning skate, Greenway was out there with a non-contact sweater. He hasn't played since last Monday's preseason game against the Minnesota Wild, but it was never considered a long-term thing.
After practice, Jeff Blashill confirmed that he won't play against the St. Louis Blues in the preseason finale, but he should be good to go on Tuesday night against the Vegas Golden Knights in the regular-season opener. If that ends up being the case, he won't have missed more than a week with the injury.
The Blackhawks took Greenway back in the deal to land Bowen Byram, but he will be useful to them this season if he is able to stay healthy for most of it. He brings a physical toughness that they don't have much of.
More details about the final preseason game can be seen in the post below:
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There we are, one night of hockey left before the Montreal Canadiens wrap up their preseason. Much like Saturday, they’ll split it in two: one group will host the Ottawa Senators in Montreal, while the other will head to Ottawa to take on the other half of the Sens. Perhaps wisely, considering what happened to Ivan Demidov last preseason against the Sens (that forearm slashing thanks to Nick Cousin) and the fact that he missed practice a couple of times this week, Martin St-Louis has decided that the young Russian won’t be playing tonight, just like Lane Hutson, who will also be a healthy scratch.
Meanwhile, it will be a special night for Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki as he faces his brother Ryan for the first time in an NHL game, even if it’s just an exhibition one. Suzuki and the top line will lead the group playing in Montreal tonight. The lines and pairings are expected to be as follows:
Cole Caufield – Nick Suzuki – Chris Kreider
Alex Newhook – Phillip Danault – Juraj Slafkovsky
Alexandre Texier – Jake Evans – Josh Anderson
Florian Xhekaj – Owen Beck – Tyler Thorpe
Mike Matheson – Noah Dobson
Luke Mittelstadt – Alex Carrier
Maksymilian Szuber – Etan Samson
Jacob Fowler
Samuel Montembeault
St-Louis said in his post-practice presser that Fowler and Montembeault would split the game in Montreal tonight, while Jakub Dobes will play the whole game in Ottawa. This will be the first time Montembeault steps between the posts at the Bell Centre and a great way to see if he can perform well in the pressure cooker that is the Habs’ home.
As for the squad who'll play in Ottawa, its lineup will be as follows:
Zach Bolduc – Oliver Kapanen – Kirby Dach
Jared Davidson – Laurent Dauphin – Alex Belzile
Brett Berard – Hunter McKown – Sasha Pastujov
Samuel Poulin – Filip Mesar – Dillan Bentley
Jayden Struble – Arber Xhekaj
Adam Engstrom – David Reinbacher
Owen Protz – Reilly Walsh
Jakub Dobes
Kaapo Kahkonen
If you were hoping to see the big questions answered in tonight’s lineup, you’ll have to wait a bit longer. The first line seems set in stone; the second line probably is, too. As for the last two lines, it’s a bit more complicated. NHL contracts probably mean the youngest, Xhekaj, will head down to Laval, even if he’s unlikely to spend the whole year there, and Dach will be the 13th forward to start the season.
On the blueline, the Matheson-Dobson pairing seems to be there to stay, but it’s hard to predict what the rest of the defense corps will look like. David Reinbacher had a great camp, and he’ll have another opportunity to show what he can do in Ottawa tonight. Since he’ll be skating in the same game as the oldest Xhekaj and Struble, it may be a bit easier to compare the three and call the shots. With Kaiden Gule still sidelined, Reinbacher appears to be the front-runner to stick around to start the season. Will it be as the seventh defenseman or in the actual lineup? That is the question. And if it is in the lineup, whose spot is he taking?
Earlier today, the Habs announced that 12 players had been assigned to the Laval Rocket, including Vincent Arsenault, Alexander Legkov, and Xavier Simoneau, among others. Essentially, they were the guys in Group C at the start of camp and were always destined for the AHL at the end of camp. The rest of the answers will have to wait a bit longer. There might be cuts tonight after the two games, but teams have until Monday at 5:00 PM to submit their 23-man, cap-compliant roster, and the Habs have tomorrow off.
Les joueurs suivants ont été cédés au Rocket de Laval · The following players have been assigned to the Laval Rocket:
V. Arseneau, J. Dion, A. Dubinsky, B. Hache, H. Jones, F. Lapenna, A. Legkov, K. Mandolese, K. McCallum, I. Mianscum, J. Nadeau & X. Simoneau.
The Columbus Blue Jackets have 5 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Today, we look at everyone's favorite number - Jersey #5.
Let's take a look at who wore 5, and where they are now.
Jamie Pushor - 2001-2006 - Drafted by Pittsburgh in 1989.
Heward played 97 games with Columbus and had 30 points. 69 of his games came during the inaugural season for Columbus.
After several years in Europe, he returned to the NHL and retired with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2009. Pushor has been the AGM and Director of Player Personnel for the Tampa Bay Lightning since 2018.
Darryl Sydor - 2004 - Drafted by LA in 1990.
Sydor played a total of 49 games for Columbus during the 2003-04 season. He was traded to the Jackets in the Summer of 2003 and then traded to the Lightning during that season. He had 15 points for Columbus.
He went on to play another five NHL seasons before retiring on July 13, 2010. After retiring, he transitioned into coaching, serving as an assistant for the Blues and Wild. He also owns the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL.
Christian Bäckman - 2009 - Drafted by St. Louis in 1998.
Bäckman played 56 games for the Jackets in 2008-09 after being acquired by Columbus in the trade that sent Nikolai Zherdev and Dan Fritsche to the Rangers.
He left for Europe in 2009, where he signed with
Frölunda HC in Sweden. He retired in 2015.
Aaron Johnson - 2012 - Drafted by Columbus in the 3rd round of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.
Johnson played 172 games for the Jackets over two stints. Scouts said of Johnson was "A puck-moving defenseman, Johnson is a very good skater. Has good offensive instincts and can quarterback the power play. Can play a tough and physical game. Needs to improve his play in his own end."
During his time with Columbus, he also spent three years with the AHL Syracuse Crunch, where he had 73 points in those three seasons.
In 2016, he left North America and signed on with Adler Mannheim of the DEL in Germany. He then left for England, where he played for the Sheffield Steelers of the EIHL. In 2021, he became a player-assistant Coach for a season. He came back home to Columbus in 2021 and joined the Jackets as a Team Consultant. Last season, he was the Team Relations Specialist for the Jackets.
Jack Skille - 2014 - Drafted by Chicago in 2005.
Skille played 61 games for Columbus and had 12 points. On July 6, 2013, Skille was signed as a free agent by the CBJ, but the following summer, he left in free agency. On October 5, 2014, Skille was claimed off waivers by Columbus, where he would play in 45 games. He left Columbus again and would play a season in Colorado and a season in Vancouver.
In 2017, he left for Europe, where he played in Russia, Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. He retired in 2021 and went into coaching. He was the skills coach and the Director of Skills Development for the ECHL's Utah Grizzlies franchise in 25-26, and is currently an asst. coach for the Schwenniger Wild Wings of the DEL in Germany.
Gavin Bayreuther - 2022 - Undrafted out of Canaan, New Hampshire.
Bayreuther played 103 games for Columbus and totaled 23 points over three seasons. He also played for the Dallas Stars.
He was made famous in 2021 when he was selected by the Seattle Kraken in the NHL Expansion Draft. One week later, he signed a two-year deal with Columbus, marking the end of his long tenure with Seattle.
After playing a season in Switzerland for Lausanne HC, he came back to North America and played for the Chicago Wolves of the AHL last year. He is currently unsigned and is running the Bayreuther Hockey Club in Maine. BHC is a skills camp for young hockey players.
Denton Mateychuk - 2025 - Drafted by Columbus in 2022.
Mateychuk was called up midway through the 24-25 season and never looked back. He played in 45 games for the CBJ and scored 13 points. He was also a plus-4, which isn't bad for a young defenseman.
Before being called up from the Cleveland Monsters, he was having a good season in the AHL. Playing in just 27 games, he scored 9 goals and totaled 25 points, so the Jackets had no choice but to call him up.
Mateychuk earned a spot on the NHL's All-Rookie Team for his play in 24-25 and put up 31 points in his first full NHL season last year.
This season, Mateychuk will be expected to take yet another step forward and help his club into the playoffs.
Colson Montgomery made history for all the wrong reasons Friday night, breaking a 17-year-old record for strikeouts in a single season during his first full year in the majors.
The record was previously held by Mark Reynolds, who struck out 223 times in 2009.
Montgomery, the White Sox shortstop, struck out for the 224th time this season at home against Colorado, setting a new single-season mark.
Colson Montgomery just broke the @MLB single season strikeout record with his 224th strikeout!
I don’t really know what he is looking for with a 3-2 count but apparently it wasn’t a 93mph fastball right down the middle.
The record-setting strikeout came in the fifth inning against Rockies right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano.
With a full count, Montgomery watched a 93-mph fastball down the middle of the plate go by.
Montgomery is batting .199/.285/.407 this season. Despite the modest averages, the 24-year-old has hit 31 home runs, driven in 87 runs, and posted a 1.9 WAR for the White Sox.
His impact has been more evident in the field, with Chicago director of hitting Ryan Fuller describing Montgomery’s year as “unbelievable.”
It’s possible he could be passed this weekend, though, with Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber sitting at 218 strikeouts with two games left against the Rays.
Montgomery tied the record Thursday night in Kansas City, but the team’s celebration in the locker room was focused on clinching its first playoff berth since 2021.
Chicago White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery misses the ball for a strike during the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Rate Field in Chicago, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The South Siders became the first team in MLB history to reach the postseason after back-to-back 100-loss seasons.
It has been a frustrating month for Montgomery, who has hit .111 so far, with 38 strikeouts and eight walks.
“I was told this by someone really close, that I know, is they asked me: ‘Did Shaquille O’Neal care about his free-throw percentage? Probably not,’” Montgomery said.
Chicago White Sox’s Colson Montgomery reacts after striking out during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. AP Photo/Charlie Riedel
“He’s just going out there and doing the things he knows he’s really good at and that’s dominating his craft. It’s what I’m trying to do. Try not to think about it at all.”
Even with the record, manager Will Venables still believes in his young infielder.
“In Colson’s case, he doesn’t like the strikeout, but I also don’t see him going up there just trying not to strike out, or the idea of a strikeout is consuming him or taking away from his approach and aggressiveness,” Venables said.
The White Sox finish the regular season with two more games against Colorado before the playoffs start.
They sit one game behind Cleveland in the AL Central and will either earn a bye as the No. 2 seed or be the No. 6 seed and face the AL West winner in the Wild Card round.
