March 5, 2026 | Camelback Ranch, Glendale, AZ | 2:05 PM CT | MLB Network, NBC Sports Chicago
The Chicago White Sox (63–99 last year) close out spring training today against the Cleveland Guardians (80–82), and this is our final evaluation before the real games start counting. 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 lose 100 games.
José Ramírez is one of the best players in baseball. We have Colson Montgomery hoping to become a star. Triston McKenzie is a proven starter. Drew Thorpe is trying to earn a rotation spot. They have organizational competence and sustainable success. We have prospects and hope.
This is the last spring training game. After today, the losses count. For White Sox fans who endured 99 losses last year, this is our final chance to see whether our young core is actually ready for the challenge ahead.
Where the White Sox Stand (Still Deep in Rebuild Mode)
2025 Record: 63–99
Ninety-nine losses. We were terrible. The front office tore it all down, traded veterans for prospects, and committed to a painful but necessary rebuild.
Spring training has been about development, not wins. Has Colson Montgomery shown he’s ready? Does Drew Thorpe have major league stuff? Can Luis Robert Jr. stay healthy? These are the questions that matter.
Key Players:
- Luis Robert Jr. (CF): Elite talent when healthy—just needs to stay on the field
- Colson Montgomery (SS): Our top prospect, the franchise cornerstone
- Erick Fedde (SP): Veteran arm who mentors young pitchers
Top Prospects:
- Bryan Ramos (3B): Power bat trying to prove he’s ready
- Drew Thorpe (RHP): Gets the final spring start, has frontline potential
- Edgar Quero (C): Young catcher with offensive upside
Drew Thorpe gets one last audition today. Can he compete with a quality AL Central lineup? Does he deserve an Opening Day rotation spot? Today answers those questions.
The Cleveland Guardians: Always Competitive
2025 Record: 80–82
Cleveland had an off year by their standards, but they’re always in the hunt. They develop pitching better than almost anyone, play fundamentally sound baseball, and have José Ramírez—one of the best all-around players in the game.
Key Players:
- José Ramírez (3B): Perennial MVP candidate, elite hitter and defender
- Andrés Giménez (SS): Gold Glove defender with developing bat
- Triston McKenzie (RHP): Proven 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 quality 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. Montgomery has higher offensive upside, but Giménez is the more complete, proven 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. The gap is enormous, but Ramos needs to show he at least 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 and consistency. Thorpe is trying to show he deserves an Opening Day rotation spot. This is his final audition.
What the White Sox Need to See Today
Drew Thorpe Earns His Rotation Spot
This is it. Thorpe’s final chance to prove he’s ready. Against a quality AL Central lineup with division rivals watching, he needs to show command, confidence, and the ability to execute. Three or four quality innings locks in his Opening Day spot.
Colson Montgomery Finishes Strong
Montgomery’s had a solid spring. Today, one final strong performance against division rivals sends him north to Chicago with confidence. Quality at-bats, smooth defense, smart baserunning. Show you’re ready.
Luis Robert Jr. Stays Healthy
It’s the last spring game. Just get through it without injury. If Robert can give us anything close to a full season, he’s a difference-maker. If not, we’re stuck hoping Montgomery becomes our best player immediately.
Bryan Ramos Shows He’s Ready
Ramos has power, but can he handle quality pitching? Against McKenzie and Cleveland’s staff, show bat-to-ball skills and prove you’re not just organizational depth.
Head to Chicago Ready for Opening Day
Spring training is over after today. No more evaluations. No more tune-ups. Just finish healthy and head north ready for the long season ahead.
What Cleveland Will Bring
José Ramírez will do something MVP-caliber—clutch hits, smooth defense, professional at-bats. Triston McKenzie will challenge our hitters with command and quality breaking stuff. Andrés Giménez will make smooth defensive plays at short.
The Guardians’ organizational competence and fundamentally sound baseball will test us one more time. They’re not a superteam, but they’re well-coached and execute. That’s usually enough.
White Sox Fan Prediction: Close Early, Then Reality Hits
Final Score: Guardians 6, White Sox 3
Drew Thorpe throws four solid innings, allowing two runs and showing he’s earned a rotation spot. Triston McKenzie matches him with quality command and deceptive stuff.
Colson Montgomery goes 2-for-3 with a double and finishes spring training on a high note. Luis Robert Jr. crushes a solo homer (then exits as a precaution, because of course).
But José Ramírez takes over late with clutch hitting and professional at-bats. Cleveland’s pitching depth and fundamentals pull away in the late innings.
We compete. We show flashes. But they’re the better team, and it shows when it matters.
Why This Final Spring Game Matters
The scoreboard doesn’t matter. But seeing our prospects compete one final time before Opening Day does.
Can Drew Thorpe earn a rotation spot with a quality performance? Will Colson Montgomery show he’s ready to be our everyday shortstop? Can Luis Robert Jr. stay healthy long enough to make an impact?
Cleveland represents what we’re trying to become—consistent, competitive, fundamentally sound. They’re not the Yankees or Dodgers, but they’re always in the playoff hunt. We need to get there.
Spring training is over after today. The losses start counting for real. And we need our young core to prove they’re ready for the challenge.
Go Sox. Finish spring strong and get ready for a long season of development.