Chicago White Sox Rise to First in Division

The Chicago White Sox, after enduring three seasons with over 100 losses, now lead the American League Central in 2026. This marks the first time they have topped the division this late in the season since 2021. Davis Martin, a right-handed starter for the Sox, shared his excitement about the team’s transformation. He described the newfound energy and motivation among players as they enter the park with the belief they can win.

The shift in team dynamics has had a positive impact. Martin expressed that this change makes every game and long road trip worthwhile. He credited the team’s camaraderie and humor for enhancing the atmosphere, making daily visits to the ballpark anticipated events.

The Sox recent victory on Wednesday against the Atlanta Braves, who hold the best record in Major League Baseball, further reflects their revitalized spirit. The Sox defeated the Braves 2-1, with Martin’s performance playing a pivotal role. Martin, holding a 9-2 record, delivered six shutout innings, yielding six hits and recording six strikeouts.

Opposing Martin was Chris Sale, a former White Sox star and 2024 Cy Young Award winner with an 8-5 record. Sale allowed two runs over 5 2/3 innings. Martin, reflecting on the competition, took a moment to appreciate his career stats compared to Sale’s impressive achievements. He expressed his enthusiasm for playing against accomplished opponents, highlighting the core appeal of being in the major leagues.

The White Sox improved to a 36-31 record, moving half a game ahead of the Cleveland Guardians. Key contributions came from rookie Braden Montgomery, who delivered two doubles. Derek Hill and Luisangel Acuna each drove in runs during the fourth inning. Montgomery gained attention earlier in the week with a walk-off home run in his major-league debut. Facing Sale, Montgomery hit doubles both right-handed and left-handed, showing his adaptability at the plate.

“Facing a Hall of Famer like Sale meant I needed focus to deliver quality at-bats,” Montgomery, 23, noted. His performance continued to provide excitement for the team and fans.

Notably, Colson Montgomery, the team’s shortstop who missed a second consecutive game due to back tightness, reassured supporters about his condition. He emphasized careful management to avoid further issues and intended to rejoin the line-up soon. Despite missing the games, Colson expressed his pride in Braden Montgomery’s outstanding debut.

Colson debuted last summer and proved a reliable hitter and defender. Commenting on comparisons to Braden, Colson dismissed rivalry notions, saying their strong friendship and team spirit united them.

Meanwhile, the Sox-Braves series witnessed a rare encounter between brothers Ronald Jr. and Luisangel Acuña. The pregame lineup featured both, adding a personal dimension to the series. Tuesday, Ronald Jr. was hit by a pitch, attempted to steal second, and was tagged out by Luisangel. This play was a touching moment, as Luisangel recalled dreams of playing in the majors alongside or against his brother.

Unfortunately, Ronald Jr. sustained a hamstring injury during Wednesday’s game and was subsequently placed on the 10-day injured list by the Braves. Luisangel, demonstrating his skills, managed two hits and an RBI. He also showcased his base-running prowess by stealing third in the seventh inning, although he was tagged out at home on a fielder’s choice.

This article was reported by Jeff Vorva, a freelance journalist for the Chicago Tribune.