February 28, 2026 | Camelback Ranch, Glendale, AZ | 1:05 PM CT | MLB Network, NBC Sports Chicago
The Chicago White Sox (63–99 last year) wrap up spring training today against the Cleveland Guardians (80–82), and this is actually a meaningful matchup. Both teams are in the AL Central. Both have young talent. And both are trying to figure out if they can compete in 2026.
The difference? Cleveland is trying to get back to the playoffs after an off year. We’re trying to not lose 100 games again.
They have José Ramírez, one of the best players in baseball. We have Luis Robert Jr., who’s elite when healthy but can’t stay on the field. They have a deep pitching staff that always develops quality arms. We have Drew Thorpe and a bunch of prospects hoping to become major leaguers.
This is the last spring training game. After today, the results start counting for real. For White Sox fans who suffered through 99 losses, this is our final chance to see whether our young core is actually ready.
Where the White Sox Stand (Still Rebuilding)
2025 Record: 63–99
Ninety-nine losses. We were terrible. Historically, embarrassingly bad. The front office tore it all down, traded veterans, and committed to a full rebuild.
But that’s the plan—tank, stockpile talent, develop young players, and build something sustainable. It sucks watching losing baseball, but if Montgomery, Thorpe, and the rest of our prospects develop, it’ll be worth it.
Key Players:
- Luis Robert Jr. (CF): Elite talent when healthy—30-homer power, Gold Glove defense. “When healthy” is always the question.
- Colson Montgomery (SS): Our top prospect, the franchise cornerstone we’re banking everything on.
- Erick Fedde (SP): Veteran arm who mentors young pitchers.
Top Prospects:
- Bryan Ramos (3B): Power bat trying to prove he’s ready for the majors
- Drew Thorpe (RHP): Gets the final spring start today, has frontline potential
- Edgar Quero (C): Young catcher with offensive upside
Drew Thorpe vs Triston McKenzie is our last evaluation before Opening Day. Can Thorpe compete with a quality AL Central lineup? Does he have the stuff to be a major league starter? Today we find out.
The Cleveland Guardians: Always Competitive
2025 Record: 80–82
Cleveland had an off year by their standards—80–82 and missing the playoffs. But they’re always competitive. They develop pitching better than almost anyone, play fundamentally sound baseball, and have José Ramírez carrying the offense.
Key Players:
- José Ramírez (3B): Perennial MVP candidate, one of the best all-around players in baseball
- Andrés Giménez (SS): Gold Glove defender with developing offensive game
- Triston McKenzie (RHP): Talented starter with command and strikeout stuff
Top Prospects:
- Kyle Manzardo (1B): Power bat trying to establish himself
- Chase DeLauter (OF): Athletic outfielder with upside
- Gavin Williams (RHP): Pitching prospect with frontline potential
The Guardians are well-coached, fundamentally sound, and always seem to develop pitching. They’re what smart organizations look like. We’re trying to get there, but we’re years behind.
The Matchups That Matter Today
| Position | White Sox | Guardians |
|---|---|---|
| Shortstop | Colson Montgomery | Andrés Giménez |
| Third Base | Bryan Ramos | José Ramírez |
| Starting Pitcher | Drew Thorpe | Triston McKenzie |
Colson Montgomery vs Andrés Giménez at Shortstop
Montgomery is our top prospect trying to prove he’s ready. Giménez is an established Gold Glove defender who’s solid at the plate. Montgomery has higher offensive upside, but Giménez is the more complete player right now.
Bryan Ramos vs José Ramírez at Third Base
Ramos is our prospect trying to earn an everyday job. Ramírez is a perennial MVP candidate and one of the best players in baseball. The gap is enormous, but Ramos needs to show he belongs on the same field.
Drew Thorpe vs Triston McKenzie on the Mound
Both are young starters with upside. McKenzie is more established with proven stuff. Thorpe is trying to show he’s ready for a big league rotation. This is Thorpe’s final audition before Opening Day.
What the White Sox Need to See Today
Drew Thorpe Finishes Spring Strong
This is Thorpe’s last chance to prove he’s ready before the regular season. Three or four quality innings against a competitive AL Central lineup. Show command, confidence, and the ability to execute pitches. If he dominates, he locks in a rotation spot.
Colson Montgomery Keeps Developing
Montgomery’s had a solid spring. Today, against quality competition with Giménez at short and Ramírez at third, he needs to show he can compete with established major leaguers. A couple of quality at-bats and smooth defense would be a strong finish.
Luis Robert Jr. Stays Healthy
I’m a broken record, but this is all that matters with Robert. Just get through the final spring training game without tweaking something. If he can give us a full season, he’s a difference-maker. If not, we’re stuck hoping someone else becomes our best player.
Bryan Ramos Shows He’s Ready
Ramos has power, but can he handle quality pitching consistently? Against McKenzie and Cleveland’s staff, show bat-to-ball skills and prove you’re not just organizational depth.
Finish Spring Training Healthy
It’s the last game before Opening Day. No injuries. No setbacks. Just get through it and head to Chicago ready for the regular season.
What the Guardians Will Bring
José Ramírez will probably do something MVP-caliber—a clutch hit, a smooth defensive play, professional at-bats. Triston McKenzie will challenge our hitters with command and quality breaking stuff. Andrés Giménez will make smooth defensive plays at short.
Cleveland’s pitching depth and fundamentally sound baseball will test us. They’re not a superteam, but they’re well-coached and execute. That’s usually enough to beat a rebuilding team like us.
White Sox vs Guardians: Division Rivals, Different Timelines
Both teams are in the AL Central. Both finished below .500 last year. But Cleveland’s trying to get back to the playoffs. We’re trying to not embarrass ourselves.
They lost 82 games and considered it a disappointment. We lost 99 and called it part of the plan. That 17-game gap matters.
But spring training is about development, not standings. If Montgomery looks ready, if Thorpe shows he belongs, if Robert stays healthy—those are wins regardless of the scoreboard.
White Sox Fan Prediction: Competitive, But We Fall Short
Final Score: Guardians 6, White Sox 3
Drew Thorpe throws four solid innings, allowing three runs but showing he can compete at this level. Triston McKenzie matches him, keeping our hitters off balance with command and breaking stuff.
Colson Montgomery goes 1-for-3 with a hard-hit single and looks ready for Opening Day. Luis Robert Jr. crushes a solo homer because that’s what he does when healthy, then exits as a precaution (of course).
José Ramírez goes 2-for-4 with a double and reminds everyone why he’s an MVP candidate. Cleveland’s pitching depth takes over in the late innings, and they pull away.
We compete. We show flashes. But they’re the better team right now, and it shows. Three-run loss feels about right—close enough to prove we can hang, not close enough to actually win.
Why This Game Matters (Even Though It’s Spring Training)
The scoreboard doesn’t matter. But seeing our prospects compete against division rivals does.
Can Drew Thorpe hold his own against a quality AL Central lineup? Will Colson Montgomery show he’s ready to be our everyday shortstop? Can Luis Robert Jr. stay healthy?
The Guardians represent what we’re trying to become—competitive every year, solid pitching development, fundamentally sound baseball. They’re not the Yankees or Dodgers, but they’re consistently in the playoff hunt.
We need to get there. And today’s game shows how far we still have to go.
The Harsh Reality of Where We Are
We lost 99 games last year. Cleveland lost 82 and considered it a disappointment. That’s the gap between rebuilding and competing.
But spring training has shown our prospects are developing. Montgomery looks ready. Thorpe has shown promise. Robert—when healthy—is elite.
If those guys develop into stars, maybe we’re competitive in 2027 or 2028. If not, we’re stuck in rebuild mode while Cleveland competes for division titles.
For now, we’re finishing spring training and hoping our young core is ready for the real thing.
Go Sox. End spring strong and get ready for Opening Day (and another long season).
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