The Chicago White Sox enter their May 20 matchup against the Seattle Mariners with a dismal 14-33 record and very few bright spots in what has already become a grueling 2025 campaign. Mired in last place in the AL Central and fresh off a demoralizing sweep at the hands of the Cubs in which they were outscored by 18 runs, the White Sox are facing a Mariners club trending in the opposite direction. Despite the losing record, there are a few individual storylines worth tracking, particularly the development of rookies like Chase Meidroth and Edgar Quero. Meidroth has shown advanced plate discipline and contact skills while batting leadoff, injecting a measure of excitement into a lineup that otherwise lacks consistent production. Quero, a promising young catcher, has flashed power potential and is learning quickly on the job, both defensively and at the plate. Still, beyond these young contributors, the offense remains largely ineffective. Former cornerstone Luis Robert Jr. leads the league in stolen bases but is batting under .200 and striking out in nearly one-third of his plate appearances, making his impact minimal overall. Andrew Vaughn has failed to build on his early-career promise, struggling with both power and plate discipline, while offseason additions have yet to make a meaningful difference. The team continues to suffer from a lack of offensive continuity, often failing to cash in with runners in scoring position and producing anemic run totals that make it difficult to stay competitive.

On the pitching side, things are equally grim. Davis Martin has overperformed relative to his peripherals but carries warning signs in the form of poor contact quality metrics that suggest regression is imminent. Bryse Wilson, while capable of eating innings, has struggled to suppress hard contact and often leaves games in the hands of a shaky bullpen. The lone standout has been Shane Smith, a Rule 5 pick who currently boasts a 2.05 ERA and has provided surprising value in an otherwise bleak rotation. The White Sox’s bullpen remains one of the most volatile in baseball, frequently unable to hold leads or keep deficits manageable. Defensively, the team has underperformed as well, compounding their pitching struggles with frequent lapses and unforced errors. Against a disciplined and opportunistic Seattle team, the White Sox will need a near-flawless effort to remain competitive. Cold, wet weather at Guaranteed Rate Field may suppress offense and level the playing field slightly, but unless the White Sox can string together quality at-bats and receive a standout start, they’re at risk of being quickly overwhelmed. Their recent 4-6 record against the spread mirrors their season-long inconsistency and lack of execution. With the focus now shifting more toward player development than wins, the White Sox’s challenge will be in maintaining morale and effort through a series where they enter as clear underdogs. A competitive showing against a first-place team would be a much-needed morale boost, but realistically, the odds are stacked high against a meaningful turnaround in the short term.