Surging White Sox bring fun new energy into crosstown series, but can it survive a trade-deadline exodus?
TAMPA, Fla. — It was a different White Sox team that got swept out of Wrigley Field earlier this season.
Leading for all of two innings during the first crosstown series in May, the Sox were outscored by the Cubs 26-8, stirring a familiar sense of hopelessness for a South Side squad treading the same water as the historically bad 2024 team.
Two months and a few rookie call-ups later, the Sox have stormed out of the All-Star break with the hottest offense in baseball, a 5-1 road trip capped by a thrilling comeback win over the wild-card-contending Rays and a sneaking suspicion that maybe, just maybe, this rebuild is turning a corner.
“Guys getting clutch hits; guys putting the ball in play when they need to,” rookie catcher Kyle Teel said after a four-hit game Wednesday that included his first career home run. “I would describe it as a lot of fun.”
Teel will get his first taste of Cubs-Sox fun this weekend at Rate Field along with rookie shortstop Colson Montgomery, who was still licking his developmental wounds from a brutal start at Triple-A Charlotte while the Sox were getting spanked at Wrigley.
Relegated to the Sox’ Arizona complex in April to rediscover his swing, Montgomery has made those “franchise cornerstone” expectations seem reasonable since his July 4 debut with sparkling defense at short and third base to go along with a thumping .822 OPS.
“That’s a tough year and a grind and some adversity he had to really power through there,” manager Will Venable said.
And it’s all in the rearview mirror as the mighty Cubs make their way south to face the new-look Sox.
“I think we’re all looking forward to it, especially with how we’re all feeling right now and the confidence that we have,” Montgomery said after his five-RBI game Wednesday.
He’s batting .304 with 10 RBI and his first two career homers since the break.
“I’m going to enjoy the heck out of it,” Montgomery said.
The post-break turnaround has been fueled by other members of a young core steadily pushing themselves into the Sox’ long-term vision, including infielders Chase Meidroth (nine hits, four doubles) and Miguel Vargas (.292/.414/.667 with two homers).
But it also has been powered by veterans who soon could be on the move, raising the question of whether a decidedly loose and rejuvenated clubhouse can maintain its upward trajectory as contending teams rummage through it for late-season talent.
Luis Robert Jr. has flashed some of his highlight-reel potential in the weeks leading up to the trade deadline Thursday, going 8-for-18 with a 1.156 OPS since the break. Fellow outfielder Mike Tauchman has turned it on, too, with two doubles, a homer and seven RBI to start the second half.
Along with Robert, starter Adrian Houser (5-2, 1.89 ERA) has drawn the most trade speculation since his midseason signing, and he’ll match up against one potential suitor in the Cubs on Friday.
But other players figure to keep general manager Chris Getz’s phone blowing up for the next week, too, including members of a suddenly stifling bullpen that has ranked among the strongest in the majors in the last month.
Keep an eye on interest for relievers Tyler Alexander (22 strikeouts, 2.30 ERA in 27⅓ innings with the Sox), Dan Altavilla (16 K’s, 1.48 ERA in 24⅓ innings) and Steven Wilson (30 K’s, 2.53 ERA in 32 innings).
Sox players say their focus is on the Cubs, not on who’ll be gone in a week.
“I really think it’s just guys finding their comfort in the big leagues,” starter Jonathan Cannon said after rebounding from a four-run first inning Wednesday to fan a career-high nine batters. “It takes time to acclimate, feel like you belong and get that talent level out. You’re seeing a lot of young guys start to put it together. We’re getting it from everyone right now.”