1 minute ago, CaliSoxFanViaSWside said:

Historically bad baseball? That' a bit over the top. OK so not supposed to enjoy the Sox fitting into the middle of the pack now and be embarassed for baseball ?

As long as the division they are in stays around .500 at the top the Sox will remain close to a playoff spot. They just have to play slightly above .500 against the division.

Trevor Richards was a decent trade if he can throw strikes.

Yes, the White Sox played historically bad baseball the previous two seasons, which is greatly distorting the perspective of this years team.

Where did I tell anyone how to enjoy anything?

14 minutes ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

Yes, the White Sox played historically bad baseball the previous two seasons, which is greatly distorting the perspective of this years team.

Where did I tell anyone how to enjoy anything?

Someone get that man a dictionary. Yes, “historically bad” is most definitely accurate.

On 5/5/2026 at 1:34 PM, CaliSoxFanViaSWside said:

I already believe but I won't truly believe until the Pope and a few other familiar faces are in the Soxtalk banner instead of the old group that fell apart.

Wait. There's a soxtalk banner now?

12 minutes ago, 46DidIt said:

Wait. There's a soxtalk banner now?

we're still rocking with the old one. maybe we could group fund a new one?

1 hour ago, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

Yes, the White Sox played historically bad baseball the previous two seasons, which is greatly distorting the perspective of this years team.

Where did I tell anyone how to enjoy anything?

The White Sox were "historically" bad in 2024. 2025 was run of the mill bad.

I perceive a team that's inconsistent, playing slightly under .500 ball. Maybe if a player comes up and succeeds, a stance change spurs offensive production, they could be in the playoff race in a below average division. I don't think they'll make the playoffs, but considering the team to be in a "race" for first place isn't distorted perspective.

1 hour ago, chitownsportsfan said:

we're still rocking with the old one. maybe we could group fund a new one?

Must be an ad because I havent seen any banner or graphic for I dont know how long

13 hours ago, WestEddy said:

The White Sox were "historically" bad in 2024. 2025 was run of the mill bad.

I perceive a team that's inconsistent, playing slightly under .500 ball. Maybe if a player comes up and succeeds, a stance change spurs offensive production, they could be in the playoff race in a below average division. I don't think they'll make the playoffs, but considering the team to be in a "race" for first place isn't distorted perspective.

I think the current homestand is pretty important in shaping the rest of the season, it got off to a pretty bad start with an ugly loss last night.

Edited Saturday at 10:28 AM5 days by The Mighty Mite

https://www.espn.com/mlb/stats/rpi/_/sort/sos

75-87

4th place ahead of the Twins

Baseball-Reference.com

2026 Major League Baseball Playoff Odds | Baseball-Refere...

Edited Saturday at 11:14 AM5 days by caulfield12

current fwar paces extrapolated

Colson 6.4

Mune 6.0

Vargas 4.3

Chase 2.6

Peters 2.1

Benintendi -1.7

Quero/Acuna -2.1

I believe. This team is winning games they would have lost the last couple of years. They won todays game without their big hitters having a good day. The 2026 White Sox are going to be one of the best stories in MLB baseball in 2026. White Sox fans will be dancing in the streets at the end of the year. In other words, The White Sox Are Coming, Tra La, Tra La!!!!

Edited Monday at 12:44 AM3 days by WBWSF

21 minutes ago, WBWSF said:

I believe. This team is winning games they would have lost the last couple of years. They won todays game without their big hitters having a good day. The 2026 White Sox are going to be one of the best stories in MLB baseball in 2026. White Sox fan will be dancing in the streets at the end of the year. In other words, The White Sox Are Coming, Tra La, Tra La!!!!

Have another six there WBWSF! 😁

They won't lose 100 but they aren't going to finish with a winning record either.

But you do you sir.

Bad teams are bad until they aren't.
3 years ago the Royals and Tigers were terrible, and then 2 years ago they were suddenly good.
89 Sox = 69 wins; 90 Sox = 94 wins
99 Sox = 75 wins; 00 Sox = 95 wins
70 Sox = 56 wins (and a worse team, imo, than the 24 Sox), 71= 79 wins; 72= 87 wins (2nd most in AL).

It's hard to see this team contending with the best teams in baseball, but for the division (sans Skubal ) - perhaps. They'll need some minor league pitching to step up. One or both of the Smiths would be a good start.

Edited Monday at 01:05 AM3 days by GreenSox

3 hours ago, GreenSox said:

Bad teams are bad until they aren't.
3 years ago the Royals and Tigers were terrible, and then 2 years ago they were suddenly good.
89 Sox = 69 wins; 90 Sox = 94 wins
99 Sox = 75 wins; 00 Sox = 95 wins
70 Sox = 56 wins (and a worse team, imo, than the 24 Sox), 71= 79 wins; 72= 87 wins (2nd most in AL).

It's hard to see this team contending with the best teams in baseball, but for the division (sans Skubal ) - perhaps. They'll need some minor league pitching to step up. One or both of the Smiths would be a good start.

It's a bit oppressive when our glum chums decide they're going to tell us what our reality is. This team is playing .500 ball. A breakout or two could leave them with a winning record at the end of the year. If only they weren't so desperate to make us believe that.

84 wins could win this division. Why not the Sox?

I will always choose to believe, because fandom is a lot more fun when you do!

On 5/8/2026 at 12:07 PM, Look at Ray Ray Run said:

Yes, the White Sox played historically bad baseball the previous two seasons, which is greatly distorting the perspective of this years team.

Where did I tell anyone how to enjoy anything?

This is 2026 so when you said historically bad baseball I thought you were referring to the current state of the American League all being around. 500.

I forgot youre still stuck in 2024 and all perspectives should be based around that season. Right now the Sox are no worse that half the A.L. teams.

Keep quoting those playoff odds and telling us how bad they are. Winning this division doesnt appear to be that hard this year. Teel is starting his rehab assignment tomorrow.We could be a month away from Braden Montgomery joining the lineup. We have 3 top hitters driving the offense not 2 as you stated. This team is getting better . Why fight it so much ?

I just watched a Sox on 35th podcast and the 3 guys on it were all having fun covering the team. It has more to do with the current players and a promising outlook than any distorted perspective from losing so much for 3 years. That sentiment works both ways. Your opinion is distorted just as much.

Edited Monday at 03:53 PM3 days by CaliSoxFanViaSWside
fixing typos

https://www.si.com/mlb/mlb-standings-reveal-divisional-races-will-be-more-important-than-ever

noun

a person who promotes or publicizes a particular organization or cause.

persuaders

synonyms: advocate, champion, supporter, promoter, proponent, exponent, campaigner, crusader, publicist, evangelist, apostle, proselytizer, indoctrinator, plugger, spin doctor

Six more P words to consider...although proselytizers is such a religious, Elmer Gantry-esque word.

Edited Monday at 04:01 PM3 days by caulfield12

I'm in the camp of enjoying this team because they are so much better than the teams of the past few years. I recognize they are still not a great team, but they are getting close to not bad. This team is actually exciting to watch with the energy and the (at least perceived) closeness of the guys. They seem to be having fun and playing their asses off.

I think it's wild to see the team playing as well as they do with so many non-household names. Tristan Peters, Sam Antonacci, Derek Hill, Drew Romo, Bryan Hudson... That is what is making me believe. This team is probably another bat or two and some starting pitching away from being solidly good. And, yes, I know who owns the team; and yes, I know Getz isn't qualified to be a GM. So maybe they don't get that hitter or that pitching. But, damn, these guys are easy to like and root for, and a lot of fun to watch.

1 minute ago, hogan873 said:

I'm in the camp of enjoying this team because they are so much better than the teams of the past few years. I recognize they are still not a great team, but they are getting close to not bad. This team is actually exciting to watch with the energy and the (at least perceived) closeness of the guys. They seem to be having fun and playing their asses off.

I think it's wild to see the team playing as well as they do with so many non-household names. Tristan Peters, Sam Antonacci, Derek Hill, Drew Romo, Bryan Hudson... That is what is making me believe. This team is probably another bat or two and some starting pitching away from being solidly good. And, yes, I know who owns the team; and yes, I know Getz isn't qualified to be a GM. So maybe they don't get that hitter or that pitching. But, damn, these guys are easy to like and root for, and a lot of fun to watch.

Davis Martin was far from a household name before this season as well. Shane Smith garnered more attention and the All Star nod.

Dylan Cease third heading for 7.6 fwar

Davis Martin fourth, same exact pace through 40 games.

Edited Monday at 04:19 PM2 days by caulfield12

2 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

Davis Martin was far from a household name before this season as well. Shane Smith garnered more attention and the All Star nod.

Man, how could I forget Martin. He's one of the best pitchers in the league right now, quietly. Hopefully Smith can get some of that magic back and make it to the big league team again.

On 5/8/2026 at 2:07 PM, 46DidIt said:

Must be an ad because I havent seen any banner or graphic for I dont know how long

You probably use your phone for Soxtalk where the banner doesn't show up. On a laptop or desktop PC it's right there at the top like it's always been with Moncada, Giolito, Robert, Anderson and Jimenez as if this was still 2021.

On 5/2/2026 at 9:38 AM, Lip Man 1 said:

I'll start to believe at the trade deadline if they are within striking distance and JR allows Getz to get upgraded talent and not trade players away for prospects and 'magic beans...'

Trade deadlines are often supplements for teams in the post season hunt. Returns aren't what they use to be. Kicking the can down the road seems a habit for many Sox fans.

Trade just to make trades at the deadline isn't wise. I'm sure Getz could find more Acunas out there. I prefer the Sox to do nothing. Trying to dump Benintendi seems more potential for worse. It would be another Robert type trade.

White Sox now 12th in position player fWAR at 4.7 with a 100 wRC+. The defense is surging, now 15th in RAA at -6.1. Pitching wise we are 3.5 fWAR good for 16th.

Sox are 8th in xwOBA and 11th in walk rate. Last year they were 17th in walk rate and 27th in xwOBA.

Right now this is a legit mediocre team with several young or still in their prime players contributing. Do I believe? Eh, I believe they are playing like a 78-82 win team, which is a massive improvement and should make for a fun summer watch. The pitching will regress, but the offense should stay around league average after Teel and Montgomery join, even with some regression from others.

Reinforcements:
+Teel 1 week?
+Hays 2-3 weeks?
+Pereira 2-3 weeks?
+B. Monty 1-2 months?

Wildcards:
Ben Peoples (Dominating AAA)
Wikelman Gonzalez (Dominating AAA)
Tanner McDougal
Hagen Smith
Shane Smith
Jonathan Cannon
Drew Thorpe
Ky Bush
Prelander Berroa

Not sure on the timeline of Thorpe, Bush, and Berroa, but I think they are all expected to return this year.

Did I miss anyone?

Also - we are finally going to see more divisional matchups. 10 games the remainder of May and 12 next month. We've only had one 4 game series against the Royals so far. If we are still in the thick of it June 1st I will be a 100% believer.

Edited Monday at 06:26 PM2 days by DoUEvenShift

Fedde, Schultz and Burke scheduled for KC against Kolek, Lugo, Bubic. We really need to win that first one and then try for one of the next two.

2 hours ago, CaliSoxFanViaSWside said:

This is 2026 so when you said historically bad baseball I thought you were referring to the current state of the American League all being around. 500.

I forgot youre still stuck in 2024 and all perspectives should be based around that season. Right now the Sox are no worse that half the A.L. teams.

Keep quoting those playoff odds and telling us how bad they are. Winning this division doesnt appear to be that hard this year. Teel is starting his rehab assignment tomorrow.We could be a month away from Braden Montgomery joining the lineup. We have 3 top hitters driving the offense not 2 as you stated. This team is getting better . Why fight it so much ?

I just watched a Sox on 35th podcast and the 3 guys on it were all having fun covering the team. It has more to do with the current players and a promising outlook than any distorted perspective from losing so much for 3 years. That sentiment works both ways. Your opinion is distorted just as much.

No, it actually doesn't. If the White Sox were competing and contending the last two years, no one would be ecstatic or excited about a team below .500 pal.

The Sox had the 3rd most wins in the 90's in baseball. No fan in the 90's was happy when the Sox were fighting for .500.

It's very obvious that most people have changed their perspective because of the misery of the past few years. I will not allow this organizations incompetence to re calibrate my personal expectations, but you do you!

I also simply don't break small samples down into smaller ones just to pitch a narrative. Baseball is a game of attrition, not a game where you evaluate possibilities based on smaller sample outcomes.

Edited Monday at 06:08 PM2 days by Look at Ray Ray Run