Sox Machine Podcast (Subscriber Version)

PSA: Sox Machine will be part of the Chicago White Sox fan appreciation event held in the Craft Cave at Rate Field on Sunday, September 21. Stop by and be part of the show!

Rundown

• [Intro] Chicago White Sox general manager Chris Getz hosts his end of the regular season press conference. Touching on many topics including highlights of the season, what to do about the catching situation, plans for Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith, and what to hope for in 2026.
• [16:33] Baltimore series recap, which was another dud for the White Sox as they have lost six straight games. James Fegan provides additional insight from the Getz presser as we will get a clearer picture from him at the GM Meetings in November.
• [25:24] Martin Perez left Wednesday's game early with a sore shoulder. The injury is not career threatening but there is the mutual option that the White Sox will be declining. So what's next for Perez?
• [31:24] With nine games to go, a quick look at the White Sox stat leaders. Before the Padres series, Shane Smith / Davis Martin / Adrian Houser are all tied with six wins. Will any pitcher get to seven wins for the White Sox?
• [37:27] Josh Nelson got a FromThe108 bobblehead from Tuesday's game. If Sox Machine had a bobblehead, what would be the beverage choices? Also a marketing idea for the White Sox to use for 50/50 raffles next season.
• [40:20] Series Preview: San Diego Padres. Can the White Sox snap their losing streak? Plus, Jose Abreu returns this weekend. Is a retirement announcement coming?
• [48:18] Around MLB: Update on the postseason race and Justin Verlander refuses to retire.

Rundown

• [Intro] Chicago White Sox get swept again in Cleveland, and just like in April, they only score three runs in three games. So what gives? Why did the White Sox have a terrible time scoring runs in Cleveland this season?
• [12:05] Series Preview: Baltimore Orioles. What is the Orioles path forward this offseason? What's the White Sox pitching plan for Monday's game?
• [23:22] MLB Postseason Race: American League. How we think the AL West will be won? Does Cleveland have a good chance of overtaking the last playoff spot?
• [43:25] MLB Postseason Race: National League. Why the Dodgers lead in NL West feels safe. If the New York Mets don't make the playoffs, are they this season's biggest disappointment?

Rundown

• [Intro] White Sox manager Will Venable comments on the recent run as his team is 25-25 since the All-Star Break
• [2:52] James Fegan reports from the clubhouse how the players are believing that their recent play can be the new normal.
• [5:24] In the first half of 2025, the White Sox were 26-55. Since? 31-35 with 15 more games to be played. Is it possible the White Sox can generate some chaos and finish at least 10-5 to secure a winning second half?
• [10:05] Kyle Teel is now on a 20-game on-base streak. With how well he's playing, what is Teal's ceiling? Can he be a future All-Star catcher for the White Sox?
• [19:55] Latest Grant Taylor injury update
• [22:07] Shane Smith was excellent again on Thursday. Posting a 2.84 ERA in his last eight starts, is Smith getting stronger as the season inches closer to the finish line?
• [27:38] What's the gameplan for Sean Burke moving forward?
• [34:09] The Baltimore Orioles requested to interview Josh Barfield for their general manager opening, in which he declined.
• [39:53] After the New York Yankees deal fell through, the White Sox have agreed to terms with 12-year old Braston Basker. Are these types of deals what White Sox fans should expect from the new International Scouting efforts?
• [46:55] Series Preview: Cleveland Guardians.

Rundown

• [Intro] The red hot Chicago White Sox have won seven of their last eight games. It's been a great change of pace, even though it feels a bit strange in trying make sense of what everyone is watching.
• [6:46] With a 23-24 record post All-Star Break, are the White Sox closer to contending than initially thought? While the crew doesn't see a Manny Machado / Bryce Harper situation like in 2019, there's a debate if the White Sox should change their sights this offseason. Instead of just looking for cheap, veteran fits to fill out the roster like they have done recently, should the White Sox look to make more meaningful upgrades. Especially what lies ahead with the 2027 season possibly impacted by CBA negotiations.
• [31:17] Lenyn Sosa is the first White Sox hitter in 2025 to reach 20 home runs. While it's likely he won't be the last, has Sosa's productive season earn him a guaranteed spot on the 2026 roster?
• [39:51] If you missed the play because of football, Will Robertson made one of the best defensive plays this season. Is his home run robbery the best play for the White Sox?
• [43:32] Series Preview: Tampa Bay Rays
• [50:32] Around MLB: Sox Machine Fantasy League, the home run Karen incident, and the Los Angeles Dodgers continue to struggle

Live Show Recording: September 6, 2025

Guest: Courtney Finnicum, Baseball Isn't Boring

Rundown:

• What do you make of the Chicago White Sox post All-Star Break? Is this level of performance real?
• Why do you think the White Sox went from one of the worst offenses in baseball before the All-Star Break, to now a Top 10 unit?
• Colson Montgomery: Is the future star White Sox fans have been waiting for?
• Shane Smith: Is he the White Sox Ace going into 2026? (This will be after his Friday night start)
• What's been your favorite thing about the 2025 White Sox?
• What's your biggest concern about the 2025 White Sox?
• Heading into the offseason, what is the White Sox biggest need that you want to see them address before Spring Training 2026

Rundown

• [Intro] Chicago White Sox had a great time in Minneapolis, which is a rarity.
• [7:33] Helping drive the offense, outside of monster home runs from Colson Montgomery, are the catchers Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero. Are Montgomery's home runs overshadowing Teel's impressive season? Why the White Sox should continue to figure out a way to have both Teel and Quero in the lineup.
• [29:11] Series Preview: Detroit Tigers. Shane Smith has been on a roll in his last seven starts thanks to pounding the strike zone with two-seamers. But after four games feasting on the Twins pitching, the White Sox now have to face Tarik Skubal this weekend.

Rundown

• [Intro] Josh Nelson shares the event details Sox Machine is looking to host in 2026
• [4:45] Dan Szymborski of FanGraphs.com joins the show to share how ZiPS is viewing key, young White Sox players. Why ZiPS thinks Colson Montgomery and Shane Smith can be 2+ WAR players in 2026. The defensive uncertainty of Miguel Vargas, and which catcher ZiPS prefers between Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero. Also, Dan's asked how he would spend $25 million if running the White Sox?
• [39:55] Jim Margalus and James Fegan join the show to share the news that Mike Clevinger indeed will be returning to the White Sox
• [48:33] Fan Question: What is the 2026 starting pitching rotation looking like?
• [55:40] Who else are the White Sox calling up in September?
• [63:47] Around MLB: Bob Nightengale reports that MLB executives think its "Unfathomable" Luis Robert Jr.'s option gets picked up, Fegan's fantasy baseball update, and Justin Verlander's 121-pitch outing.

Rundown

• [Intro] Chicago White Sox general manager Chris Getz shares the news that Luis Robert Jr. is out with a hamstring strain. The odds don't look great for Robert to play again in 2025, but Getz also comments about his upcoming $20 million club option.
• [5:17] After Getz speaks, Josh Nelson and Jim Margalus comment about Robert's injury. How do you assess his 2025 season? Any chance that Jerry Reinsdorf changes his mind about picking up Robert's club option?
• [19:09] For the first 16 innings, the series was going great for the White Sox. Then Kansas City blew them away in the last 11 innings resulting in another series loss for the White Sox.
• [23:30] What to make of the FIP and ERA discrepancy for Grant Taylor.
• [31:02] Martin Perez is dealing since returning from injury
• [34:48] An updated look at the White Sox home run leaderboard
• [37:55] Miguel Vargas is a double machine thanks to putting in the effort
• [39:43] The Sox Machine Fantasy Baseball league enters the postseason
• [41:46] Series Preview: New York Yankees. Why the White Sox pitchers will feel the heat facing Yankees hitters, and the return of Carlos Rodon
• [58:09] 2026 MLB Schedule release featuring an announcement of a Sox Machine Meetup for August 7 and 8, 2026 in Chicago.

Rundown

• [Intro] Audio from White Sox manager Will Venable about tracking progress in his first season, and how Colson Montgomery has adjusted to life in the major leagues. Montgomery shared why staying short to the ball has been fueling his early success.
• [5:27] Speaking of Montgomery, he's hit a home run in three consecutive games, and the White Sox have scored 45 runs in their last six games. If the White Sox, who are averaging 5.45 runs per game post All-Star Break, are a legit five runs per game offense does that change the rebuild trajectory?
• [32:09] With a lot of attention on the offense, it's nice to see Davis Martin post good outings in back-to-back starts.
• [36:46] According to Bob Nightengale, the 2026 MLB schedule will be released on Tuesday.
• [38:00] Series Preview: Kansas City Royals. Surprise! It's the same pitching matchups as last week. Does that mean we'll see more runs scored by the White Sox?
• [44:23] Around MLB: Zach Wheeler injury, the Houston Astros keep getting away with it, and the Colorado Rockies progress to avoid worst team ever.

Rundown

• [Intro] The series in Atlanta was weird in that the White Sox scored 23 runs in two games, but then got shutout. Also, they lost a game with a huge lead despite scoring 10 runs. Perhaps most alarming is that the White Sox pitching staff is running on fumes. With games in the next 17 days, is there anyone in Charlotte or Birmingham that can help?
• [17:48] A recap of the White Sox hot hitting performances in the last week
• [19:27] Series Preview: Minnesota Twins
• [22:07] Who has the better three-year outlook? The Minnesota Twins or Chicago White Sox?
• [43:05] Around MLB: Are the Kansas City Royals a serious postseason contender?