Sox Machine Podcast (Subscriber Version)

Rundown:

• [Intro] The Chicago White Sox win a tough series in San Diego, largely thanks to more outstanding pitching. Given recent performances and current talent, is this level of production sustainable as injuries affect depth and roster decisions?
• [6:09] Building off their recent success in San Diego, injuries are now impacting the White Sox's pitching depth. Given this, could the White Sox search for solutions in free agency, as they did last year with Adrian Houser?
• [8:51] How does anyone hit Noah Schultz?
• [13:22] Sean Burke's strong performance streak continues.
• [16:57] Unsung bullpen heroes: Tyler Davis and Bryan Hudson
• [25:48] Unsung bench heroes: Tristan Peters, Drew Romo, and Derek Hill
• [32:16] AAA News: Braden Montgomery and Shane Murphy get promoted while Shane Smith goes on the IL
• [37:12] LA Angels series preview
• [42:11] Around MLB: Are the Mets, Phillies, Astros, and Red Sox dead?

Rundown

• [Intro] The Chicago White Sox are 14-17 after sweeping the Los Angeles Angels. But they went May only 1.5 games back of Cleveland and Detroit for first place in the AL Central. They are 13-12 in their last 25 games. So how is the clubhouse feeling about this stretch? Do the White Sox believe they can stick around longer than expected?
• [17:33] Colson Montgomery ranks in the top three of many categories for American League shortstops. Should we pay him more attention to how he's been starting in 2026?
• [31:54] Davis Martin is performing like a Top 10 pitcher in MLB. Is he buying into his start in what could be his breakout season?
• [39:48] Drew Romo hit two home runs in his last game. Should the White Sox split up 50/50 playing time between Romo and Edgar Quero?
• [44:03] Braden Montgomery and Caleb Bonemer are raking to start 2026. Is a promotion incoming for both?
• [55:29] Series preview against San Diego Padres. If Anthony Kay struggles again, is it time to find another starting pitcher?

Rundown

• [Intro] Audio from the press conference held by Chicago White Sox general manager Chris Getz prior to the start of the Nationals series. His early thoughts on Munetaka Murakami, and if there have been discussions about a contract extension. Plus, injury updates on Kyle Teel and Tanner McDougal. Manager Will Venable explains the rationale of the White Sox DFA'ing Reese McGuire for Drew Romo.
• [9:51] James Fegan joins the show to recap the news and action from Rate Field. The offense's dependence on the home run was a factor in the series loss. Also, what's wrong with Jordan Leasure? Why replace McGuire with Romo? And how Kyle Teel is far more important than we originally thought (and we thought he was important).
• [30:46] Jim Margalus recaps the first month of 2026. Why the 11-17 start could have been worse. Looking at Munetaka Murakami's on pace stats, which is most likely to happen: 64 home runs, 115 RBI, 127 walks, or 237 strikeouts? Josh Nelson also shares his desire for the White Sox front office to make a decision on Grant Taylor's role on the pitching staff.

Rundown

• [Intro] Chicago White Sox hit eight more home runs in their series win over Arizona. Is the home run offense by design for the 2026 White Sox?
• [7:07] Munetaka Murakami is grabbing all of the headlines for good reason. But Colson Montgomery is also heating up. Is he ready to carry the offense much like he did last year?
• [15:19] Miguel Vargas is also flexing some power thanks to have the league's most improved bat speed from last season.
• [18:00] Josh is hopping on the Everson Pereira bandwagon, but Jim is is hesitating
• [23:40] Why Sam Antonacci's first career home run was perfect for his style of play
• [26:42] After a poor start against Arizona, what's the path forward to get Anthony Kay on track?
• [30:41] What to expect from new guy, Tyler Davis
• [34:53] Tanner McDougal injury update
• [36:37] Series Preview: Washington Nationals

Rundown

• [Intro] The Chicago White Sox hit eight home runs in their series win at Sacramento. Munetaka Murakami hit three of them and is starting to boom again at the plate. Is his production similar to that of Kyle Schwarber?
• [8:32] Everson Pereira had three doubles and made some nice defensive plays in right field. Can he lock down this outfield position?
• [14:47] Weird Metrics: Colson Montgomery is having way more success hitting in the day versus at night. Is this a thing for hitters preferring to hit in natural sunlight compared to under the lights?
• [20:27] Noah Schultz was excellent in his second career start, allowing one run over five innings. What worked well for him against the Athletics?
• [24:32] Davis Martin is off to a fantastic start in 2026. What's been working for him against right-handed hitters, and despite the good results, what kind of go-to pitch is he searching for to neutralize left-handers?
• [34:08] With how well Hagen Smith has been pitching for Charlotte, is it time for another MLB debut?
• [40:17] Around MLB: The New York Mets have lost 11 games in a row, and Mason Miller is on some type of heater.

Rundown

• [Intro] The Chicago White Sox series against Tampa Bay is highlighted by the two promotions: Noah Schultz and Sam Antonacci. Hear from White Sox GM Chris Getz, manager Will Venable, Schultz, and Antonacci.
• [7:57] With a 6-13 record, White Sox fans are upset about how the team has started 2026. Is the front office aware that White Sox fans are losing patience?
• [14:15] Reviewing Noah Schultz's MLB debut. What adjustments he made midgame, and hoping to see from him this weekend against the Athletics.
• [20:23] Reviewing Sam Antonacci's MLB debut. Why the promotion now? How will outfield playing time work out?
• [29:32] James wrote about Miguel Vargas improving his bat speed, and he hit a home run on Thursday. Is an offensive surge incoming for Vargas?
• [35:07] Is Munetaka Murakami stressing over the lack of base hits? What's the plan to help Luisangel Acuna be more productive offensively?

• [Intro] Audio from Chicago White Sox manager Will Venable, shortstop Colson Montgomery, and infielder Tanner Murray recapping the weekend in Kansas City
• [4:51] Hello, Noah Schultz: With the big promotion, what should White Sox fans expect to see from Schultz?
• [20:49] Recapping the weekend in Kansas City, and the pitching staff deserves big props for bouncing back in their last 10 games. Why does this give Josh hope that the White Sox could make a run towards .500 ball? Also, why is Jim cautious, given the type of pitchers who are getting these results?
• [33:19] The White Sox offense is bad. No other way to describe it. So what's the biggest issue? And can someone like Sam Antonacci help?
• [44:35] Around MLB: It's a stacked American League as the Minnesota Twins and Houston Astros are off to surprising starts.

Rundown

• [Intro] Audio from Chicago White Sox manager Will Venable, who explains the team's thought process of demoting Shane Smith. What he needs to work on in AAA, and the upcoming mental challenge he needs to overcome.
• [4:30] James Fegan and Jim Margalus join the show to discuss Smith being optioned. What is the timeline for Smith to work on his mechanics? How will the White Sox handle Smith's spot in the rotation?
• [13:26] Recap of the Baltimore Orioles series that saw the White Sox hitters continue to struggle with in-zone contact against fastballs. With the team starting 4-8, is there a concern that this team won't reach double-digit wins by May 1?
• [27:00] Series Preview: Kansas City Royals. Why is Kauffman Stadium a house of horrors for the White Sox? Can they finally snap the 14-game losing streak in Kansas City?
• [36:55] Around MLB: Old Friend Reynaldo Lopez punches Jorge Soler with a baseball.

• [Intro] The Chicago White Sox pull off an impressive sweep against the Toronto Blue Jays. Audio from Davis Martin and Colson Montgomery, both of whom spoke about the bad start, but now things are starting to settle in.
• [6:35] James Fegan joins the show to talk about the Grant Taylor opener strategy, if Miguel Vargas is living up to his prospect hype, the adjustments Edgar Quero is making, and Ozzie Guillen getting his number retired.
• [27:26] Baltimore series preview
• [29:12] Jim Margalus joins the show to share his reports on watching the Charlotte Knights and Winston-Salem Dash, and why he feels indifferent about Guillen’s jersey retirement.

Rundown

• [Intro] 1-5 Start: Len Kasper and Darrin Jackson on the radio mentioned that every team has a six-game span like this during a 162-game season. But when it feels way worse when a team starts a season like this. Do you imagine any panic within the White Sox clubhouse after this opening road trip?
• [5:54] Run Prevention Issues: White Sox have allowed the most runs in MLB (52; TB second at 38 runs) and staff ERA is 8.63. What are the issues White Sox are having in preventing runs?
• [10:23] Shane Smith: He’s not looking himself and the fastball command is problematic. His next start is at home against Baltimore. If Smith struggles again, is his spot in the rotation at risk?
• [22:37] Offensive Issues: Despite being in the Top 3 of team home runs, the White Sox are batting .192/.266/.342 (.608 OPS). Is it possible coming home, utilizing Trajekt and other resources at Rate Field, can help get the hitters to be more consistent?
• [27:21] Series Preview: Toronto Blue Jays
• [31:09] It will only be 9 games in, but if the White Sox after this series are 2-7 or 1-8, are the visions of a 70 or more win season dashed? Would we need to recalibrate what 2026 is supposed to be for the White Sox?
• [39:48] Around MLB: Draft Bonus Pool announced and how are our fantasy baseball teams are faring.