By the numbers: White Sox rolling out of the break

PITTSBURGH -- Let’s have a little fun with numbers after the White Sox had a lot of fun with the Pirates for a second straight night via a 10-4 victory on Saturday at PNC Park.

2-0

That’s the record for the White Sox (34-65) to start post All-Star break action. Not exactly the run champions are made from, but it’s the first time since 2014 the club has won its second-half opener. The White Sox started 2-0 11 years ago as well.

“Our team has a lot of energy right now, and we’re going to keep it going,” said catcher Kyle Teel, who was one of four starters with at least two hits and just missed his first career homer leading off the seventh. “We can control our energy. Going to bring it every day.”

How did the White Sox produce after the 2024 All-Star break? It was an 0-17 drought in the midst of a 21-game losing streak.

10

The White Sox did not have a hit off Pirates starter Mike Burrows for 4 1/3 innings before Luis Robert Jr. beat out an infield grounder. The rejuvenated offense, at least for two games, scored 10 runs in those next three innings, including a six-run sixth.

“We knew if we got a hit and got something going, some more were going to come,” White Sox manager Will Venable said. “That’s what it takes to get started.”

“I think the focus has been really good, the intensity has been really good and we’ve been doing a great job of picking each other up, getting big hits with guys on base. That’s what it’s about,” right fielder Mike Tauchman said. “Keep moving the line. It’s been really good, and we want to keep it going.”

Tauchman kept things going Saturday, delivering a three-run double with the bases loaded and two outs in the sixth to break a 4-4 deadlock. He was down in the count at 0-2 before reliever Isaac Mattson hung a slider, and the veteran didn’t miss.

“Got a slider that caught a little too much plate, just getting it outside the reach of Oneil Cruz -- he’s really moving out there [in center field] -- and fortunately found some grass,” Tauchman said. “Chase [Meidroth] came up and had another big hit. It was a great inning for the boys.”

6

Prior to the All-Star break, Robert had scored four runs over 26 games with 27 strikeouts in 92 plate appearances. In these two games against the Pirates, Robert has scored six runs and been on base seven times.

“He’s done a great job constructing really quality at-bats,” Venable said. “Getting on base, driving guys in, stealing some bases. Coming back from the IL [on July 8], I’m not sure he was ready to steal bases and get out there to that degree. But the break served him well. Obviously well rested and looks like Luis out there.”

“Offensively, defensively, he does it all,” Teel said. “And he’s a great guy to have around. A great guy to have on your team because he’s so talented.”

Kudos also go to Lenyn Sosa, who reached base five times and drove in three.

3

Adrian Houser allowed three earned runs during his previous 28 1/3 innings entering Saturday’s start, bringing with him the third-best ERA among qualified Major Leaguers since Mary 20. Against the last-place team from the National League Central, Houser yielded three earned runs in 4 1/3 innings.

But the offense and bullpen picked him up.

“When the team's fighting like that and being scrappy, I feel like sometime this game is going to turn around for us,” Houser said. “These guys are showing it right now, coming up in big spots, just moving the line on the offense and keeping it going. It's been fun to watch."

9

Saturday’s victory marked the 10th series win for the 2025 White Sox. In ‘24, they won nine all season.

Constant comparisons to last season aren’t truly fair, when considering that team was the worst by loss total (121) in the Modern Era. Even in a rebuild, Chicago should make yearly progress.

Despite the overall record, the White Sox have moved forward in 2025. They feel it as a group.

“This group wants to be together, we want to be around each other, enjoy being around each other,” right-hander Davis Martin said. “It’s a testament to where we are at as a team.”

“So the team's right there on the cusp, playing hard every day,” Houser said. “Vibes are high, so just want to keep going.”