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White Sox vs. Tigers (4 games at Rate Field): Split, statement made — 18–13 Sox, 16–16 Tigers

Chicago didn’t put Detroit away this week — but it did keep the Tigers at arm’s length, splitting a four-game set that felt like a mini-checkpoint for the AL Central race. The White Sox walked out of it still in first, 18–13, with Detroit drifting back to .500 at 16–16.

And the loudest storyline wasn’t just the standings — it was the kids. Edgar Quero kept popping up in the biggest moments, Kyle Teel left his fingerprints late, and newly-called-up Josh Salmonson wasted zero time introducing himself to the majors.

Game 1 (Mon, May 4): White Sox 6, Tigers 5

The night the new guy arrived — and didn’t ask permission.

Chicago struck first, and it came with a jolt: Josh Salmonson (freshly selected to the big-league roster) singled in his first start, then later launched a solo homer to help build a cushion that the Sox would end up needing every inch of.

The headline swing early belonged to Edgar Quero, who crushed a 2-run homer to put Chicago in control. From there it became a tightrope act: Detroit kept swinging back — extra-base hits, loud contact, and late pressure — but the Sox had just enough answers.

On the mound, Shane Smith continued his early-season roll, working 6 strong innings, and Chicago’s bullpen played the final frames like a closing-time routine: holds for Tyler Schweitzer and Jason Adam, then Edwin Díaz slamming the door for the save as Detroit’s last push fizzled.

Vibe of the game: Rookie power + just-enough bullpen = surviving a punchy division rival.

Game 2 (Tue, May 5): Tigers 6, White Sox 3

Detroit drags Chicago into a grind — and wins it.

Chicago had chances all night — and the box score told the story with one number that kept screaming: walks. The Sox got traffic, but not the hit that flips a game.

Detroit, meanwhile, did its damage in bursts and lived in the big moments, taking advantage when Chicago pitching wobbled. Mike Vasil couldn’t quite land the shutdown inning when he needed it, and the Tigers steadily widened the gap.

Even with mistakes and extra outs floating around, Detroit kept control of the middle innings, and Chicago never found the clean rally that would’ve turned Rate Field into a pressure cooker.

Vibe of the game: The Sox had base runners… the Tigers had the big innings.

Game 3 (Wed, May 6): Tigers 10, White Sox 7

A wild one — and Detroit’s veterans win the slugfest.

This game came in waves.

Detroit jumped early, kept piling on, and then — right when Chicago started thinking comeback — the Tigers punched again. The centerpiece was Brandon Belt, who punished mistakes with multiple extra-base blows (including a homer) and drove in key runs that kept Chicago chasing.

Chicago fought, though. Bryan Ramos provided thunder, Quero added another loud moment with a homer, and the Sox made it uncomfortable late — highlighted by a 2-run homer from Luis Robert Jr. in the ninth that turned a “wrap it up” finish into a real sweat.

But it was too much ground to make up. Detroit grabbed the game — and temporarily grabbed the momentum.

Vibe of the game: Chicago’s offense showed real bite… but the early damage was too big.

Game 4 (Thu, May 7): White Sox 5, Tigers 4

The “grown-up win”: tied late, one swing + one chaotic inning, done.

Detroit came out throwing haymakers again: an early 2-run shot gave the Tigers a quick lead, and they kept forcing Chicago to respond.

Then the Sox did exactly that.

Edgar Quero was the anchor all day — extra-base presence early, and then the equalizer: a 2-run homer that yanked Chicago back into control of the night and reset the whole game.

With it tied late, Kyle Teel delivered the moment: a solo homer in the 8th to snap the deadlock. And Chicago didn’t stop there — the inning turned into chaos in the best way: a walk, aggressive baserunning, and a Detroit throwing mistake that let the Sox tack on the kind of insurance run that matters in a one-run finish.

Detroit made it dramatic in the ninth, cutting it to one, but Díaz survived the final surge and locked down the save.

Vibe of the game: Late power, smart pressure, and just enough composure to close.

Series takeaways
1) Edgar Quero is turning into the heartbeat of these games

Big homers, big at-bats, constant involvement. Chicago didn’t just “get production” — it got momentum swings from him.

2) Salmonson’s call-up gave the lineup instant edge

There’s nothing subtle about a rookie showing up and homering in Game 1 of a division series. Even beyond the swing, it changes how pitchers attack the bottom half.

3) Teel looks built for the late innings

The Game 4 homer is the kind of moment that tells you what a player’s made of — not just talent, but timing.

4) The Tigers aren’t going away — but Chicago held the line

A split at home isn’t a knockout… but it’s a reminder: Detroit can make it messy, and the Sox can survive messy. Chicago stays on top of the division and keeps the Tigers in the rearview for now.