At the quarter mark of the 2026 season, the White Sox are easily in the best shape they have been in the standings in four years.
There was nowhere to go but up after three consecutive seasons with 100 or more losses. You can measure the Sox’ improvement by the numbers, not just the vibe.
Forty games into the 162-game schedule, the Sox are 19-21. It’s their best 40-game start since 2022, when they were 20-20 on May 21 after taking the first game of a doubleheader against the Yankees.
That .500 record foreshadowed an 81-81 season that started a rapid disintegration of a team that was supposed to do big things.
Here’s where the Sox stand after 40 games and where they stood in each of the last three painful seasons:
• 2026: 19-21, 171 runs scored, 185 runs allowed. Final record: ?
• 2025: 11-29, 135 runs scored, 172 runs allowed. Final record: 60-102.
• 2024: 12-28, 119 runs scored, 202 runs allowed. Final record 41-121, setting a modern-era record for losses.
• 2023: 13-27, 169 runs scored, 241 runs allowed. Final record: 61-101.
‘‘If you look at it on a daily basis, on a nightly basis, we feel like we have a chance to win,’’ general manager Chris Getz said at the start of the Sox’ homestand. ‘‘In the past, it was more [that] you almost needed to be perfect.
‘‘Now the lineup is deeper. You know the rotation is deeper. We’ve got some weapons in the bullpen that will allow us to navigate and finish off games. And the defense is improved.’’
A marquee slugger in Munetaka Murakami has made a difference. Big-presence batters who flirt with the major-league home-run lead not only generate deep drives and headlines, they also change the dynamics of a lineup.
Second-year shortstop Colson Montgomery hopes to take advantage of it as he continues to adjust to major-league pitching.
‘‘It’s completely different,’’ Montgomery said before the Sox’ 2-1, come-from-behind victory Sunday against the Mariners. ‘‘We have guys at the end of our lineup who get on base a lot. We have more guys able to put the ball in the seats and hit home runs. I think it’s all really good.’’
Beyond Murakami, Montgomery points to third baseman Miguel Vargas, who has been striking the ball with authority more consistently.
‘‘Yeah, I think me, Mune and Vargas are all really good at [being run-producers],’’ Montgomery said. ‘‘It just feels like every single time I’m up to bat, either Vargas or Mune, they are on base. There’s opportunities to drive guys in.’’
Despite injuries, such as to catcher Kyle Teel and outfielder Everson Pereira, the Sox’ offense is at its best through 40 games since 2022. They were an AL-leading 25-15 and had scored 216 runs at this point en route to winning the AL Central at 93-69 in 2021.
Montgomery is hitting only .221, but he has 10 homers and 28 RBI through 40 games. Murakami has 15 homers and 29 RBI with a .232 average and, as expected, 60 strikeouts in 173 plate appearances. Vargas is batting .230 with nine homers and 22 RBI.
But don’t let the low averages be a guide, Montgomery said.
‘‘I don’t look at my average; I don’t,’’ Montgomery said. ‘‘I know a lot of people are like, ‘They only hit this amount.’ But I just look at production and on-base percentage, OPS, things like that. Those things are what’s going to help you win games.’’
The Sox’ .231 batting average is 25th in the majors and 13th in the AL. Their run production, however, isn’t as low: 18th in MLB and ninth in the AL.
Then there are the intangibles. The Sox have been upbeat, not moping their way to the bottom. ‘‘A young, aggressive team having fun’’ seems to be a common theme.
‘‘We’re looking for winning-type players that are focused on, you know, ‘What am I going to do to help this team win?’ ’’ Getz said. ‘‘And that’s starting to seep into this organization as a whole.’’