The Chicago White Sox's 2025 season was a rollercoaster of missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential. By the numbers, they should have been a 71-91 team according to the Pythagorean win-loss formula, which evaluates a team's performance based on runs scored and allowed.
Instead, they ended up with a disappointing 60-102 record, the largest discrepancy in Major League Baseball that year. This leaves manager Will Venable and his staff with much to prove in 2026.
Digging into the stats, the White Sox scored 647 runs while conceding 742. Yet, their 15-36 record in one-run games was the worst in the league, highlighting inconsistency in the bullpen and questionable decision-making. The team struggled with clutch hitting, particularly with runners in scoring position.
The bullpen was a major sore spot, finishing last in saves with just 25 conversions out of 49 chances. Steven Wilson, in particular, had a tough season, blowing seven saves in nine opportunities.
One memorable collapse came on April 6th against the Tigers, when a three-run ninth-inning lead vanished, ending with a Spencer Torkelson double. Although the team showed some improvement in July with a 12-13 record, they still couldn't consistently close out games.
When it came to hitting with runners in scoring position, the White Sox ranked 28th in OPS+, matching the last-place Colorado Rockies. In stark contrast, the World Series-winning Dodgers led the league in this category. While lineup changes might help, Venable will need players like Munetaka Murakami to bring their clutch performance from overseas to the MLB stage.
On a brighter note, the White Sox excelled in stolen base efficiency, ranking sixth in MLB. Despite losing Luis Robert Jr., who stole 33 of their 85 bases, they hope to maintain this trend.
While base running might take a hit, there's optimism that improvements in pitching and hitting could balance things out. The challenge for the staff is to make strategic decisions that position the team for success in 2026.