March 26, 2026 | American Family Field, Milwaukee, WI | 2:05 PM CT | NBC Sports Chicago
The Chicago White Sox (63–99 last year) open the 2026 season against the Milwaukee Brewers (86–76, NL Central champions) at American Family Field, and this is it. Opening Day is finally here. They won their division with 86 wins. We lost 99 games and finished last in the AL Central. The gap is massive.
The Brewers have Jackson Chourio—an emerging young star. Willy Adames hit 30+ homers at shortstop. Freddy Peralta is an elite strikeout pitcher. They won the NL Central and are built to compete.
We have Colson Montgomery making his Opening Day debut. Drew Thorpe getting his first regular season start. Luis Robert Jr. trying to stay healthy. We’re years away from where Milwaukee is.
For White Sox fans, this is Opening Day—the official start of what’s likely going to be another long, painful season.
Where the White Sox Stand As the Season Begins
2025 Record: 63–99
Ninety-nine losses. We’re rebuilding, and it’s going to take years. Colson Montgomery is supposed to save us. Drew Thorpe is supposed to anchor the rotation. Luis Robert Jr. is supposed to stay healthy.
Key Players:
- Luis Robert Jr. (CF): Elite talent when healthy—just needs to be healthy
- Colson Montgomery (SS): Our top prospect, Opening Day debut, entire rebuild depends on him
- Erick Fedde (SP): Veteran arm who mentors young pitchers
Top Prospects:
- Bryan Ramos (3B): Power bat making Opening Day roster
- Drew Thorpe (RHP): Gets the Opening Day start
- Edgar Quero (C): Young catcher with offensive upside
This is Opening Day. The real season starts now. And we’re probably going to lose a lot of games.
The Milwaukee Brewers: NL Central Champions
2025 Record: 86–76 (NL Central Champions)
Milwaukee won the NL Central last year with smart baseball and homegrown talent. Jackson Chourio is developing into a real star. Willy Adames hit 30+ homers. Freddy Peralta is an elite strikeout pitcher getting the Opening Day start.
Key Players:
- Jackson Chourio (OF): Young star with power and speed, massive upside
- Willy Adames (SS): Veteran leader who hit 30+ homers last year
- Freddy Peralta (RHP): Elite strikeout pitcher, Opening Day starter
Top Prospects:
- Tyler Black (INF): Versatile infielder in the system
- Jacob Misiorowski (RHP): Pitching prospect with upside
- Jefferson Quero (C): Catching prospect developing
The Brewers won their division and are contenders again. They’re what winning organizations look like.
The Matchups That Matter on Opening Day
| Position | White Sox | Brewers |
|---|---|---|
| Shortstop | Colson Montgomery | Willy Adames |
| Center Field | Luis Robert Jr. | Jackson Chourio |
| Starting Pitcher | Drew Thorpe | Freddy Peralta |
Colson Montgomery’s Opening Day Debut vs Willy Adames
Montgomery makes his Opening Day debut at shortstop. Adames is a proven 30-homer threat who just won the division. Montgomery has upside, but this is his first real game.
Luis Robert Jr. vs Jackson Chourio in Center Field
When healthy, Robert has elite talent. Chourio is rising fast with more power. Both are toolsy center fielders, but Chourio’s on a winning team.
Drew Thorpe’s First Career Start vs Freddy Peralta
Peralta is an elite strikeout pitcher and Opening Day starter for a division winner. Thorpe is making his first career regular season start. The gap is enormous.
What the White Sox Need on Opening Day
Drew Thorpe Survives His First Start
First career regular season start against a division-winning lineup with Freddy Peralta on the other side. Just get through five innings without getting shelled.
Colson Montgomery’s Opening Day Debut
First real game. Opening Day jitters are real. Just show you belong at this level and don’t look overwhelmed.
Luis Robert Jr. Stays Healthy
It’s Opening Day. Please just stay on the field for the entire season. That’s all we ask.
Don’t Get Embarrassed on Opening Day
The Brewers won 86 games. We lost 99. They’re going to win. But don’t get blown out on Opening Day and set the tone for another disaster.
What Milwaukee Will Bring
Jackson Chourio will show why he’s an emerging star—power, speed, athleticism. Willy Adames will work professional at-bats. Freddy Peralta will dominate on Opening Day with elite strikeout stuff.
The Brewers’ championship experience and division-winning pedigree will be on full display.
White Sox Fan Prediction: We Lose Opening Day
Final Score: Brewers 6, White Sox 3
Drew Thorpe battles in his first career start but gives up four runs in five innings—respectable given the circumstances. Freddy Peralta dominates with nine strikeouts.
Colson Montgomery goes 1-for-4 in his Opening Day debut—nervous but shows flashes. Luis Robert Jr. crushes a solo homer (then exits as a precaution in the seventh, naturally).
Jackson Chourio goes 2-for-4 with a homer. The Brewers’ depth and experience dominate on Opening Day.
We lose Opening Day. The rebuild continues. Another long season begins.
Why Opening Day Matters (Even Though We’re Losing)
It’s Opening Day. The real season starts now. And we’re probably going to lose 95+ games again.
But it’s Colson Montgomery’s debut. Drew Thorpe’s first career start. The beginning of Year Whatever of the rebuild.
The Brewers won the NL Central. We lost 99 games. That gap is going to take years to close.
But it’s Opening Day. The games count now. And we have to watch it unfold.
Go Sox!!!