The Chicago White Sox are heating up at the perfect time, riding a five-game winning streak after a commanding 6-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Thursday night. The win pushed Chicago to 22-21, marking the first time since 2022 they've been above .500 this deep into the season—a remarkable turnaround for a team that lost 101 or more games in each of the last three years.
Randal Grichuk was the star of the show, smashing a two-run homer and driving in four runs total. The veteran outfielder, who signed a one-year, $1.25 million deal with the White Sox on May 4, has been on fire since joining the lineup. Thursday's home run was his third in just five games and his eighth overall since donning a Chicago uniform. Grichuk, now 34, started the season with the Yankees before being designated for assignment and electing free agency—a move that's paying off big for the South Siders.
Anthony Kay (3-1) delivered a solid start, allowing two runs and six hits over six-plus innings to help Chicago sweep their third series of the season. The Royals, meanwhile, extended their losing streak to four games. Kay was pulled after Kyle Isbel led off the seventh with a triple, but Tyler Davis came in to shut the door. Sean Newcomb then tossed two scoreless frames to earn his first save of the year.
Lane Thomas and Maikel Garcia drove in the Royals' runs, while Salvador Perez chipped in with two hits. Kansas City starter Kris Bubic (3-2) struggled, surrendering five runs and five hits with three walks over just four innings.
The Royals struck first with a sacrifice fly from Thomas in the opening frame, but Grichuk answered immediately with a two-run blast in the bottom half. He added two more runs in the third on a bases-loaded single, and Chase Meidroth's RBI single in the fourth pushed the lead to 5-1. The White Sox are now just one game behind idle Cleveland for first place in the AL Central—a spot few expected them to be in after years of struggles.
Looking ahead, the Royals head to St. Louis to face the Cardinals, with Michael Wacha (4-2, 2.63) taking on Dustin May (3-4, 4.85) on Friday. The White Sox, meanwhile, host their crosstown rivals the Cubs at Rate Field, with Sean Burke (2-3, 3.68) squaring off against Edward Cabrera (3-1, 3.88).
For White Sox fans, this surge is a welcome sight—and with Grichuk swinging a hot bat, the momentum shows no signs of slowing down. Whether you're cheering from the stands or repping your team's gear, it's the perfect time to stock up on Chicago White Sox apparel and join the ride.