The Chicago White Sox return home to Guaranteed Rate Field on July 28, 2025, searching for any semblance of rhythm in what has been a dismal and frustrating season. With a record of 35–70 entering this matchup against the contending Philadelphia Phillies, the White Sox are buried in the bottom of the American League standings and continue to struggle with consistency on both sides of the ball. Offensively, they’ve lacked production and power, ranking among the league’s lowest in slugging percentage and total runs scored, with only a few bright spots to speak of in an otherwise dormant lineup. Luis Robert Jr. remains the offensive centerpiece when healthy, providing some occasional pop and athleticism, but too often the team has failed to build around him with effective at-bats or consistent run support. The pitching staff, which began the season with hopes of development from its young arms, has also been a source of frustration. While Garrett Crochet has emerged as a valuable starter with elite strikeout stuff, the bullpen has routinely faltered in late-game situations, and the back end of the rotation continues to be a liability. In home games, Chicago has been even more underwhelming against the spread, going just 17–29 ATS at Guaranteed Rate Field this season, with many of those losses coming by wide margins.

The lack of offensive depth and frequent defensive lapses have made it difficult for the White Sox to stay competitive against upper-tier opponents, especially those with power-heavy lineups like Philadelphia. First-year manager Pedro Grifol has emphasized development and accountability, but there’s no denying the rebuild is firmly underway, and fan patience is wearing thin as the team struggles to offer much in the way of hope or progress. In this game, the White Sox will likely rely on a combination of youth and desperation, perhaps turning to a spot starter or inexperienced arm to fill innings against one of the best lineups in the National League. To stay competitive, they’ll need an uncharacteristically strong performance from their bullpen, timely hitting from their middle-order bats, and a defensive effort that doesn’t give away extra outs—an issue that has plagued them all year. While this may be another uphill battle, it also serves as a chance for young players like Colson Montgomery or Korey Lee to gain experience against playoff-caliber pitching and prove they belong in the team’s long-term vision. As fans brace for another long evening, the White Sox will attempt to play spoiler and snap what has been a consistent trend of losing games when listed as substantial underdogs. Even if wins are few and far between, how the team competes down the stretch will be closely watched by both management and the fanbase as they begin to evaluate what the 2026 roster may look like. A competitive showing, even in defeat, would be a modest step forward in an otherwise forgettable campaign.