White Sox Last 10 Games: Why the Final Stretch Still Matters

White Sox Last 10 Games: Why the Final Stretch Still Matters

The South Side isn't exactly celebrating right now. Honestly, looking at the white sox last 10 games from the end of the 2025 season feels a bit like performing an autopsy on a year most fans would rather forget. Chicago finished 60-102. That's a lot of losing. But if you actually watched those final few weeks, there was this weird, flickering light at the end of a very long, dark tunnel.

It wasn't all bad.

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They went 3-7 in that final ten-game stretch. On paper? Trash. In reality? It was the first time we saw the "new look" Sox actually try to compete before the winter freeze set in.

What Really Happened in the White Sox Last 10 Games

Most people see 60-102 and assume the team just rolled over and died in September. They didn't. In fact, the white sox last 10 games featured some of the most aggressive baseball the team played all year. This was the period where Will Venable’s influence really started to seep into the dugout culture.

The season wrapped up with a 3-7 run that was highlighted by a surprising 8-0 shutout of the Washington Nationals on September 28. That game felt like a fever dream. After months of struggling to find any consistency, the bats suddenly woke up, and the pitching staff—led by some of the younger arms—finally looked like they belonged in the big leagues.

  • The High Point: A dominant 8-0 win over Washington to end the year.
  • The Low Point: A stinging late-inning collapse against the Tigers that reminded everyone why the bullpen needs a total overhaul.
  • The Surprise: The emergence of Shane Smith as a legitimate rotation piece.

It’s easy to get lost in the losses. But those final ten games were basically a live-action tryout for the 2026 roster. Guys like Colson Montgomery and Kyle Teel weren't just playing for stats; they were playing for their spots in the Opening Day lineup.

The Youth Movement Is Actually Moving

If you’re looking for a reason to care about a 102-loss team, look at the kids. During the white sox last 10 games, Colson Montgomery started to show why he was a first-round pick. He had a second-half surge that included 21 home runs. That's not a fluke. He was hitting the ball harder and striking out just a little bit less.

Then there's Kyle Teel.

The kid has energy. He slashed .273 during his time up, and his presence behind the plate seemed to calm down the younger pitchers. Honestly, the catching situation with Teel and Edgar Quero is one of the few areas where the White Sox actually have an embarrassment of riches.

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Breaking Down the Roster Churn

While the games were happening, Chris Getz was already working the phones. The roster we saw in the white sox last 10 games is already changing. The team recently designated Ben Cowles for assignment to make room for Drew Romo, a move that shows they aren't afraid to swap "potential" for "different potential" if the fit isn't right.

The bullpen? It was a disaster.

They recently signed Ryan Borucki to a minor-league deal and inked Sean Newcomb to a one-year, $4.5 million contract. Newcomb is an interesting gamble. He had a 1.75 ERA as a reliever last year but wants to start. If he can bring that kind of stability to the rotation, the next "last 10 games" we talk about might actually involve a winning record.

The Japanese Connection

You can't talk about the future of this team without mentioning the massive investment in NPB talent. They signed Munetaka Murakami to a two-year, $34 million deal. Murakami hit 56 home runs in a single season in Japan. That is elite power.

Will it translate?

That’s the $34 million question. But pairing Murakami’s power with Montgomery’s upside gives the Sox a middle-of-the-order threat they haven't had since... well, it's been a while.

Looking Ahead to Spring Training 2026

We are currently in that weird limbo between the "last 10 games" of the past and the first 10 games of the future. The White Sox have the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft after winning the lottery. That means Roch Cholowsky, the UCLA shortstop, is likely headed to Chicago.

That’s a huge win for a front office that desperately needs one.

The 2026 win total projection is sitting around 65.5 at places like Caesars. It’s an improvement, sure, but it's not exactly World Series territory. The goal for 2026 isn't just winning games; it's about seeing if the glimpses of talent we saw in the white sox last 10 games can be sustained over 162.

  • Noah Schultz: He's dealing with some knee tendinitis but is expected back for 2026. He’s the crown jewel of the pitching staff.
  • Luis Robert Jr.: The Sox picked up his $20 million option. He needs to stay healthy and be the superstar everyone knows he can be.
  • The Rotation: Beyond Garrett Crochet (if he stays) and Shane Smith, it's a lot of question marks.

Actionable Next Steps for Sox Fans

Stop looking at the 102 losses and start looking at the individual progressions. The white sox last 10 games showed that the "tank" is effectively over, and the "build" has begun.

  1. Monitor the Bullpen Battles: Keep an eye on guys like Borucki and Newcomb during Spring Training. If they don't stick, the late-game collapses will continue.
  2. Follow the Prospect Health: Noah Schultz’s knee is the most important joint in Chicago right now. If he’s healthy, the rotation has an ace in waiting.
  3. Check the Murakami Adaptation: Watch how Murakami handles MLB velocity in the Cactus League. His transition will dictate the ceiling of this offense.

The final stretch of 2025 was painful, but it wasn't pointless. It gave the front office the data they needed to stop the bleeding. Now, they just have to prove they can actually build something that lasts.