In Kansas City, Missouri, manager Will Venable captured the essence of the 2026 Chicago White Sox in one word: excited. The players are eager to play baseball, come to the field, support each other, face challenges, and triumph over them. This enthusiasm positions the team well as they aim for a postseason appearance, their first since 2021.

As the season winds down, the White Sox hold the third American League wild-card spot, three games ahead of the Houston Astros with six games remaining. They are also battling for the AL Central title, trailing the Cleveland Guardians by only a game. The final week started with a series against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.

Remarkable recovery marks the team’s journey; they lost at least 101 games in the last three years, including a record 121 defeats in 2024. Venable discussed this year’s journey in a pregame interview.

Our team is not perfect, no team is perfect, Venable observed. Different times of the year see different areas of our club performing better. Recently, our offense wasn’t up to usual standards. There were stretches where pitching, base running, or defense faltered.

Venable emphasized the team’s resilience and their knack for winning under any circumstances. September had its challenges, with a 5-10 run pushing them out of first place in the AL Central. Despite this, they still lead the division tiebreaker over the Guardians thanks to the season series win. Venable stressed the team’s return to form.

It’s been incredible watching this group develop through the season’s ups and downs, he noted. They transitioned from a carefree to a tense group and back to being themselves.

The White Sox lead the AL in runs (733) and are third in home runs (199), featuring hitters like Miguel Vargas, Munetaka Murakami, and Colson Montgomery, each with over 30 home runs. The bullpen, with standout performances from players like Grant Taylor, plays a crucial role.

Venable praised contributions across the board.

Miguel Vargas and Grant Taylor have done outstanding things. But contributions come from everywhere. Each win is unique, an example of teamwork, Venable added.

Venable values players’ commitment to team strategies, whether swapping batters for matchups or changing pitching roles.

It’s important to establish a supportive environment. We have to adapt our approach without compromising team dynamics, said Venable.

The playoff push brings pressure. Venable advocates for focusing on playing well for teammates rather than just making the playoffs.

The right pressure is about playing for your teammates and not just about making the playoffs, Venable emphasized.

Throughout this journey, Venable and the coaching staff provide crucial support.

We remind them of what they’ve achieved. The team and personal accomplishments are impressive. We focus on making sure they enjoy the opportunity, Venable mentioned.