Chicago White Sox Hold First Place With 29 Games Left

White Sox turnaround puts Chicago in position for an unlikely division race finish

CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox are entering the final 29 games of the regular season in first place, a sharp reversal from a year earlier, when the club was headed toward a 102-loss season and a third consecutive finish with at least 100 defeats.

The White Sox, 70-63, left a 4-3 homestand for Minnesota after winning eight of their last 13 games and 11 of their past 18. The club closed its series against the Texas Rangers with consecutive victories, including a 10-4 win Wednesday, and has held first place since July 4.

For a franchise that finished 60-102 last season, the change has shifted the conversation around the team from avoiding another embarrassing loss total to protecting a division lead. Chicago had 29 games remaining at the same point last year but needed a 15-14 finish merely to avoid 100 losses; it went 12-17 the rest of the way.

Second baseman Chase Meidroth, who collected five hits over the final two games against Texas, said the current position did not surprise the players. Third baseman Miguel Vargas, who entered the stretch with a 1.022 OPS in August, said the club's success has become part of its identity.

Chicago has endured challenges during its recent run. The pitching staff has faced concerns after the team completed 16 consecutive days without an off day, while Munetaka Murakami and Colson Montgomery have struggled at the plate. Vargas and Tristan Peters, however, have helped keep the lineup productive as the White Sox navigate a demanding portion of the schedule.

Will Venable sees progress but acknowledges work ahead

Manager Will Venable, in his second season, said he believes the club is in a substantially better position than it was a year ago. Asked how strongly he would have expected the White Sox to be contending at this stage, Venable placed himself at a five on a scale of one to 10.

Venable said the team can recognize its progress without abandoning its focus on the next game. He pointed to the record, the quality of the roster and improvements behind the scenes as signs that the organization has moved forward.

The manager has also acknowledged mistakes. Earlier this month, Venable made a second mound visit in the first inning of a game, requiring starter Noah Schultz to leave at a time when Chicago's bullpen had limited available arms. Venable said managers and players need to learn from errors, adding that he has grown significantly since his rookie season.

General manager Chris Getz told the outlet that Venable is evaluated continually but described him as one of the most well-rounded managers he has encountered. Venable's leadership will receive greater scrutiny if the White Sox complete what would be one of baseball's most unexpected division-title runs.

The White Sox are not expected to be widely favored against established playoff contenders if they reach the postseason, but their position has already altered expectations for the franchise's next phase. With 29 games remaining, Chicago's immediate task is to maintain its lead, beginning with its upcoming road trip to Minnesota; the division race remains unresolved.