Sports · Baseball · 2 hrs ago
White Sox reach playoffs after rebuild but need stronger pitching
The Chicago White Sox made the playoffs after three straight 100-loss seasons, a first in major league history.
They beat the Astros in the Wild Card Series, earning their first postseason series win in two decades.
Chicago then lost to the Guardians in the ALDS after taking a 2-0 lead.
The team's rotation was its weakest link, and by the end of the season Sean Burke was its only reliable starter.
Chicago took on Luis Castillo's $22.75 million salary for next season in a trade aimed at adding stability to the rotation.
General manager Chris Getz said the pitching staff needs work, and the team must strengthen its pitching to contend; how much ownership and the front office will spend remains unclear.
The White Sox reached the playoffs after entering the 2026 season in a rebuild.
They became the first team to follow three consecutive 100-loss seasons with a playoff berth.
Chicago beat the Astros in the Wild Card Series for its first series win in two decades, then lost to the Guardians in the ALDS after taking a 2-0 lead.
The team’s rotation was its weakest link during the season and deteriorated further by the playoffs.
General manager Chris Getz acknowledged that strengthening the pitching staff will be a major focus.
- Who
- The Chicago White Sox, led by general manager Chris Getz.
- What
- The White Sox reached the playoffs after a rebuild and now need to strengthen their pitching staff.
- When
- The 2026 season.
- Where
- Chicago; the team played the Astros in the Wild Card Series and the Guardians in the ALDS.
- Why
- The team’s rotation was its weakest link during the season and was in poor shape by the playoffs.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The White Sox entered the season in a rebuild.
Chicago acquired pitcher Luis Castillo from Seattle and took on his $22.75 million salary for the next season.
The White Sox knocked out the Astros, earning their first series win in two decades.
Chicago took a 2-0 lead against the Guardians but failed to close out the series.
- Consecutive 100-loss seasons
- Three before the playoff berth
- Wild Card opponent
- Houston Astros
- First series win in two decades
- Wild Card Series
- ALDS opponent
- Cleveland Guardians
- Luis Castillo salary
- $22.75 million for the next season