The Tampa Bay Rays Squeeze Past 4-3 to End White Sox Winning Streak

by Jake Lax, July 24, 2025

It has been just over a week since the MLB All-Star game, and as the second half of the season starts, most eyes are on the contenders for the postseason. However, there is one team that has been shocking the league that has been on fire since the break: the Chicago White Sox.

Yes, the White Sox.

Coming into Tuesday night’s game, no team in the league has scored more runs since the break than the White Sox, with 27 total runs. After spending the majority of the season at the bottom of the American League, they’re off to a hot start. However, the wins are very lopsided, coming with a 3 sweep against the Pittsburgh Pirates and taking game one of this Tampa Bay series 8-3. In their 4-game streak, the Sox have outscored opponents 35-10.

The Rally Polo

In the middle of this unexpected surge stood White Sox announcer Dan Plesac—and his now infamous “rally polo.” The unwashed white polo shirt has become a viral good-luck charm for the fan base, riding the wave of victories. Unfortunately, even the magic of a filthy polo has its limits.

The lucky polo story had to come to an end as the Rays were able to slow down Chicago, winning 4-3 and evening up the series.

Rays Jump Out Early

Starting for Tampa Bay was Drew Rasmussen, who has put together a pretty solid first half of the season, pitching a 2.93 ERA and recording 82 strikeouts up to this point. As for the White Sox, they started 28-year-old Davis Martin, who came into Tuesday with a 2-7 record. Rasmussen had the upper hand to start this one, retiring his first nine batters and striking out five of them in the first three innings. For the White Sox, Davis Martin struggled with his control, especially in the bottom of the 2nd. Martin issued three walks in the inning and got caught with a bases-loaded balk to score the first run of the game. Following the balk, José Caballero hit a single to score two more runs as the Rays extended their lead. A Taylor Walls groundout plated a fourth run to cap off a four-run inning for Tampa Bay.

The White Sox got the bats going in the top of the fourth with a Mike Tauchman lead-off double-his 13th on the year. Hoping to get some offense going, Chase Meidroth came up to bat and struck a line drive single to score Tauchman. With the stench of Plesac’s polo, the White Sox tried to start a rally with Andrew Benintendi and Miguel Vargas reaching base to give the Sox the bases loaded. Following an Edgar Quero sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to 4-2, the White Sox failed to capitalize with runners in scoring position.

Going into the 5th, this ballgame turned into neither offense providing any spark as the bullpens came in to shut the door. The last run of the game came off the White Sox rookie shortstop, Colson Montgomery’s first career home run. A special moment for him, as he’s been showing flashes of his potential through his first 15 games in the big leagues. Something I found disappointing with this White Sox team, however, is that there was no silent treatment for Montgomery as he entered the dugout following his home run. For those who are unaware, it is a widely known MLB tradition to when a player hits their first career big league homerun, they usually get no recognition or reactions from their teammates as they enter the dugout following the homerun. Many would figure this White Sox team would be playing excited and show more energy following their recent streak; however, they just look like a team without much chemistry.

Closing Time and What’s Next

Tuesday night’s game concluded with a Pete Fairbanks save, for the Rays to win 4 -3. Tampa Bay improves to 53 – 49 and a half game back from the Wild Card race. The White Sox fall to 36 – 66 at the bottom of the American League. They’ll both meet on Wednesday night to conclude the 3-game series that’s now split 1-1. The White Sox will start right-hander Jonathan Cannon, and the Rays will toss 24-year-old Taj Bradley.