Sox Machine Podcast (Subscriber Version)

Summary: The Chicago White Sox lost the series against Houston because of two bad 6th innings on Friday and Saturday. Looking at TTOP, is there a better way for the White Sox to handle starting pitchers running into a lineup a third time?

Rundown:

• [INTRO] Breaking trade news right as recording the podcast. Chicago White Sox make another deal with Pittsburgh, this time for pitcher Jose Urquidy. James Fegan shares what he knows about the deal and why it happened.
• [4:43] The White Sox suffered a heartbreaking loss on Friday night as they were up 5-0 heading into the 6th inning before hell broke loose. Then on Saturday, the 6th inning struck again. Is there a way to avoid these types of inning meltdowns by looking at TTOP, and the White Sox being better prepared to make a pitching change?
• [21:02] Munetaka Murakami has a sushi push-pop and a bobblehead in his honor. He also hit two home runs and drove in 6 RBI in Sunday's victory. Is this a sign that Murakami has broken off the rust coming off the IL?
• [24:01] Colson Montgomery feels fine after another foul ball off the shin. He wants to play on Monday, but the White Sox want to exercise caution. Is it imperative that Montgomery starts on Monday?
• [29:25] Around the AL Central: Cleveland is on a losing streak, so did the White Sox miss out on a golden opportunity to pad their division lead?
• [35:36] New York Yankees series preview: What is Noah Schultz's mindset coming into Monday's start? How wonderful a test this series is for the White Sox offense to see if the lineup is postseason ready.

Summary: The Chicago White Sox win a big road series against the Texas Rangers and now come home to face the Houston Astros.

Rundown:

• [Intro] White Sox win 2 out of 3 against the Texas Rangers
• [1:18] What to do about Noah Schultz? On one hand, the White Sox are trying to develop Schultz into a starting pitcher. On the other, they are still competing for the AL Central division. Can they continue dealing with Schultz's struggles? Or does Schultz need to be demoted to Charlotte?
• [16:10] Chase Meidroth had a four-hit game against the Rangers on Wednesday. When it comes to hitting with runners in scoring position, is being more contact over power better suited for Meidroth?
• [20:53] Andrew Benintendi had 5 RBI against the Rangers this week. Yes, the start of his tenure with the White Sox was bad. But with how he's hitting this season, is there any chance Benintendi can redeem his contract?
• [28:11] Series Preview: Houston Astros. What's the best way to deal with Yordan Alvarez? James Fegan seeks help from The Simpsons.

Summary: Chicago White Sox catcher Kyle Teel will miss the next 6 to 12 weeks with a high ankle sprain.

Guest: Erik Kratz of ‪@foulterritoryshow‬ joins the show to share his insight about the injury, future impact for Kyle Teel, and who the White Sox should target before the trade deadline to help support the position.

Rundown:

• [Intro] Kyle Teel's injury impact to the White Sox
• [3:25] Any concerns about Teel's future at catcher
• [4:50] Could Teel have avoided this injury with better technique?
• [9:20] Do the White Sox need to acquire another catcher before the trade deadline?
• [11:24] Why Erik believes Jonah Heim would be a good fit for the White Sox
• [12:45] Erik explains what the transition is like for catchers joining a new team midseason.
• [17:30] Follow up on James Fegan's feature about Kyle Teel is still the White Sox long-term plan at catcher
• [22:50] Josh Nelson is hoping that Kyle Teel doesn’t have the bad injury luck like Eloy Jimenez, Yoan Moncada, and Luis Robert Jr.
• [26:48] Jim answers the question of whether the White Sox should trade for a catcher
• [29:15] Trade Case: Jonah Heim
• [31:12] Trade Case: Freddy Fermin
• [34:00] Trade Case: Tyler Stephenson
• [36:38] Will the White Sox acquire a catcher before the trade deadline?

Rundown

• [INTRO] Sean Burke continues his scorching heater by pitching 6.2 scoreless innings vs. Toronto. What's been working for him?
• [5:43] Davis Martin was solid on Saturday as the White Sox continue to limit his pitch count to around 85 pitches. Is that to conserve energy? Or is there another factor in play?
• [9:14] Jordan Hicks tossed another scoreless inning. In his last 7 appearances, Hicks has only allowed 2 hits and walked 1 batter. Is this White Sox bullpen getting stronger?
• [17:44] The Montgomery's, Colson and Braden, led the offensive charge
• [27:17] Which AL Central team worries you the most from a White Sox POV?
• [33:47] Series Preview: Texas Rangers

Rundown

• [Intro] Sox Machine is joining Foul Territory Network! A very exciting time to join a baseball-only network that will help enhance Sox Machine's videos and podcasts. All while delivering Chicago White Sox content to the network.
• [3:00] 2026 All-Star Break Recap: James Fegan shares funny stories of covering the festivities from a beat reporter's perspective. Why Miguel Vargas's home run is one of the best moments in 2026.
• [19:00] During the All-Star Game festivities, Munetaka Murakami was asked if he would be interested in signing a contract extension to stay in Chicago. Josh Nelson made his case for why the White Sox should make a deal. Jim Margalus likens the situation to the Philadelphia Phillies signing Kyle Schwarber, and James points out the potential pitfalls that may prevent the White Sox from completing such a deal.
• [30:18] If not Murakami, who else on the White Sox should be prioritized for an extension?
• [36:15] Series Preview: Toronto Blue Jays

Rundown:

• [Intro] #1 pick Roch Cholowsky shares why he wanted to be drafted by the White Sox
• [1:56] What a weekend for the White Sox, and much needed after getting swept by Boston
• [6:26] Tristan Peters hits for the cycle and next day is named to the All-Star team
• [9:16] Munetaka Murakami returns. How did he look against the A's?
• [14:59] Sean Burke has emerged as the White Sox best starting pitcher
• [21:07] Jordan Hicks is pitching a lot better since making mechanical changes in his delivery.
• [25:44] Cap tips to Braden Montgomery, Miguel Vargas, Chase Meidroth, and Andrew Benintendi
• [28:25] 2026 MLB Draft Recap: White Sox acknowledge swing changes are coming for Roch Cholowsky, and we share our most intriguing draftees. One being Landon Thome, as Jim Margalus questions if he's worth the risk of shedding depth in Jacob Gonzalez traded to Pittsburgh for that opportunity.

The Athletic's Keith Law joins Jim Margalus of Sox Machine to preview the 2026 MLB Draft. Law shares who is his #1 prospect, who the White Sox are leaning towards to taking 1.1, and the depth of this year's draft class.

Rundown

• [Intro] The Chicago White Sox were swept by Boston in three games, and only scored two runs. White Sox manager Will Venable shares his thoughts on what happened. Then the Sox Machine crew breaks down how the offense was shut down.
• [9:06] How the Crochet Trade Trio fared against their old team
• [11:09] Sam Antonacci getting more run against left-handed pitching
• [13:11] Back-to-back starts which Davis Martin did get past the fifth inning. Already at 100 innings this season, is Martin in need of a break?
• [16:39] Judging Noah Schultz's first 10 starts
• [21:34] ESPN's Jeff Passan wrote a column about trade ideas for contending teams. He suggests the White Sox and Angels work towards a deal for LHP Reid Detmers. In his column, Passan suggests using Noah Schultz in such a hypothetical trade. Would the White Sox actually trade Schultz?
• [38:34] Seranthony Dominguez pitched back-to-back scoreless outings
• [39:56] Series Preview: Sacramento Athletics
• [41:21] Munetaka Murakami returns
• [45:16] The AL Central race is heating up. How important is this last series before All-Star Break for the White Sox?
• [49:40] White Sox are hosting an alumni home run derby. Out of the six participants, who is most likely to hit a home run?

Rundown

• [Intro] What were the big takeaways from the White Sox series split?
• [8:02] One week before the All-Star Break, and the White Sox are not fading away
• [12:36] We knew that Grant Taylor and Sean Newcomb would play big parts in this series. Are their performances from Saturday and Sunday a jump point to dominance?
• [17:52] What to make of the Seranthony Dominguez situation. It appears there's a level of distrust in his usage.
• [31:30] Who Needed A Big Series recap
• [36:22] Miguel Vargas is an All-Star
• [40:03] Did the White Sox get shafted in All-Star selections?
• [45:14] Series Preview: Boston Red Sox
• [47:12] Taking a look at Davis Martin's home vs. away splits
• [51:11] Facing two tough left-handed pitchers in this series. Good time for Randal Grichuk to make an impact.
• [53:15] Who needs a big series against Boston?

Rundown

• [Intro] Chicago White Sox snap road series losing streak winning two out of the three games in Baltimore
• [2:13] How soft skills from White Sox coaches is helping hitters
• [5:00] Jacob Gonzalez had a big series against Baltimore with 6 RBI. With Munetaka Murakami returning soon, how does Gonzalez fit with this White Sox roster?
• [11:00] Noah Schultz returned. How did he look and what does Schultz still need to improve upon before his next start?
• [15:16] Colson Montgomery hit his 21st home run of the season, and is four away from joining rare company in White Sox history
• [19:58] Sean Burke put together another great start and is stepping up to become their #2 starter
• [20:54] Series Preview: Cleveland Guardians
• [22:38] A key factor for the White Sox will be their utilization of Sean Newcomb and Grant Taylor out of the bullpen. What could be the possible usage plan against Cleveland?
• [31:30] Who needs a big series? James Fegan picks Anthony Kay and Andrew Benintendi.
• [33:40] Jim Margalus pick is Kyle Teel
• [36:01] Josh Nelson is going with chaos agent, Sam Antonacci, who continues to improve defensively in left field.