Shane Smith Shines, Robert Jr. Does It All, and the White Sox Finally Win a Road Game

An inning later, after Mike Tauchman’s one-out double, Chase Meidroth and Andrew Benintendi drew back-to-back walks. Miguel Vargas popped out for the second out, but Edgar Quero delivered with a two-run single to left, giving the Sox a 3–0 cushion — and giving Sox fans a rare chance to exhale.

The Houston Astros got one back in the bottom of the third. Cam Smith led off with a single, moved to third on a Jeremy Peña double, and scored on an Isaac Paredes sacrifice fly. Smith wobbled a bit, walking José Altuve, but pitched around it to keep the lead intact.

Robert Jr. added a solo shot in the fourth inning, parking one in the Crawford Boxes to extend the lead back to three. The Sox only managed four hits all night, and that was the last, but hey, who's counting? They did draw eight walks. Yes, you read that right.

Smith Cruises, Taylor Torches, Eisert Ices It

The Sox starter kept Houston’s bats in check. After a leadoff walk in the second, he got Victor Caratini to bounce into a double play. In the fourth, with two on and one out, Cam Smith grounded into another inning-ending double play. In the fifth, Jake Meyers did the honors. If you’re sensing a theme, you’re not alone.

But the story of the night? That was top-100 prospect Grant Taylor.

Taylor, freshly promoted and fast-tracked from starter to bullpen arm , a path the Sox famously used with Chris Sale and Garrett Crochet, made his MLB debut in the seventh. His first pitch clocked 101.5 mph. 

He retired the side in order on 12 pitches, six of which hit triple digits. 

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Steven Wilson nearly gave it all back in the eighth, loading the bases with no outs on two singles and a walk. A sac fly by Yainer Díaz scored Peña, but Wilson struck out Christian Walker with a filthy sweeper, and Robert Jr. saved a run with a sliding catch on Meyers’ sinking liner.

Brandon Eisert worked a clean ninth to earn the save and lock down Chicago's 4–2 win. Yes, a road win. In this economy.

Walk This Way: Patience Becoming a Thing?

While the Sox only managed four hits, they drew eight walks. Tim Elko, Kyle Teel, and Chase Meidroth each had two. After finishing dead last in walks the last two seasons, the Sox suddenly lead the majors in walks over the last 15 days. It’s a development so shocking, it should probably be studied by scientists.

What’s On Tap Next?

The White Sox look to clinch the series Wednesday night with Sean Burke on the mound. Burke has delivered three straight quality starts, although one didn’t count officially because of an opener game in Baltimore.

He’ll face Astros righty Ryan Gusto, who’s bounced between the bullpen and rotation. In nine home appearances (seven starts), Gusto has a 5.40 ERA over 33.1 innings.

First pitch is at 7:10 PM CT on CHSN. If you haven’t been watching lately, don’t worry. The White Sox are suddenly… watchable?