The Chicago White Sox make their way to Sloan Park on Friday to officially begin Cactus League play, opening Spring Training against their crosstown rival, the Chicago Cubs. While the rest of the baseball world may not be ready to talk postseason implications in February, the internal tone within the White Sox organization suggests a far more ambitious mindset as their new-look roster begins to take shape in Arizona.

The White Sox emerged from one of the most aggressive offseasons in baseball, adding veteran leadership and strengthening multiple areas of need. Their goal is clear: accelerate a competitive turnaround. Just as important, however, was the emergence of their young talent during the second half of the 2025 season. Those glimpses of potential provided optimism and momentum that now frame the expectations for this critical spring.

Among the names drawing considerable attention are top young players Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, Edgar Quero, and Shane Smith, each of whom enters camp carrying high expectations. Their performances over the next several weeks could significantly influence the trajectory of the roster as the team pursues long-term stability and short-term improvement. Complementing them are elite prospects ranked among the league’s Top 100 — including Braden Montgomery, Noah Schultz, and Hagen Smith — players whose development could accelerate Chicago’s ascent if they perform up to their billing.

The excitement surrounding these prospects is bolstered by their athleticism, versatility, and offensive upside. Each brings a set of tools that the White Sox hope will evolve into reliable, everyday contributions. Should even a few of them deliver strong early impressions this spring, the expectations around Chicago’s rebuild will continue trending upward in significant fashion, accelerating what once seemed like a long-term timeline.

Beyond prospect evaluation, Friday’s matchup also marks the beginning of a familiar rivalry played under new circumstances. Sloan Park — often referred to jokingly as “Wrigley West” — brings a unique energy, as Cubs fans pack the stadium while White Sox supporters make the trip to represent the South Side. It serves as an early litmus test of organizational depth, competitiveness, and preparation as both Chicago teams embark on a new season filled with fresh narratives.

GAME INFORMATION

• Who: Chicago White Sox (0–0) vs. Chicago Cubs (0–0)

• Where: Sloan Park — Mesa, Arizona

• When: 2:05 PM CT

• Watch: Marquee Sports Network

• Listen: ESPN 1000

This opener is not just a ceremonial start. It offers both organizations their first opportunity to gauge game speed, evaluate roster decisions, and establish rhythms as players move from controlled practice environments to live competition.

WHITE SOX LINEUP

1. Curtis Mead, 3B

2. Kyle Teel, C

3. Austin Hays, LF

4. Munetaka Murakami, 1B

5. Derek Hill, CF

6. Sam Antonacci, 2B

7. Korey Lee, DH

8. Tristan Peters, RF

9. Tanner Murray, SS

This lineup reflects manager Pedro Grifol’s early intent to balance youth with experience, offering prospects meaningful opportunities against Major League-caliber pitching. The top of the order is designed to get on base and generate early momentum, while the middle features both power and situational hitting potential. Murakami’s presence at cleanup adds significant international star power after his highly celebrated transition to MLB.

CUBS LINEUP

1. Jonathan Long, 1B

2. Alex Bregman, 3B

3. Seiya Suzuki, CF

4. Miguel Amaya, C

5. Dylan Carlson, RF

6. Chas McCormick, LF

7. Pedro Ramirez, 2B

8. BJ Murray, DH

9. Scott Kingery, SS

The Cubs counter with a lineup highlighting both established veterans and intriguing young assets. The addition of Bregman brings championship experience and infield consistency, while Suzuki and McCormick add proven production and outfield versatility. For Chicago’s North Siders, this spring is equally important in clarifying depth roles and integrating new personnel.

ON THE MOUND

White Sox – Jonathan Cannon, RHP

Jonathan Cannon enters Spring Training with something to prove after a turbulent 2025 season. Once considered one of the more adaptable and promising arms in Chicago’s system, Cannon struggled to find consistency with his deep five-pitch arsenal. His 5.82 ERA and eventual August demotion underscored the challenges he faced, but the White Sox still believe in his long-term potential.

Friday’s start represents a meaningful opportunity. Pitching coach Ethan Katz has emphasized Cannon’s ability to generate outs in multiple ways, and this outing serves as an early chance to reset perceptions. The coaching staff’s decision to give him the Opening Day start of the spring reflects their continued interest in evaluating how quickly he can regain command and rebound mentally from last year’s difficulties.

Cubs – Jameson Taillon, RHP

Veteran Jameson Taillon enters the spring with renewed confidence after finishing the 2025 season on a strong note. He not only played a pivotal role in the Cubs’ Wild Card win over the Padres but also helped secure a divisional round victory against the Brewers. His mix of off-speed pitches and refined command makes him a reliable presence atop the Cubs’ spring rotation.

The White Sox, however, may test him early by deploying three left-handed hitters in Kyle Teel, Munetaka Murakami, and Sam Antonacci. This strategic decision reflects an intention to challenge Taillon’s lefty splits while also offering young hitters high-quality at-bats against an accomplished veteran.

SPRING STORYLINES TO WATCH

1. Youth Movement Meets Expectations

The White Sox are placing considerable emphasis on evaluating emerging talent. Teel, Montgomery, Murakami, and Quero will all face heightened scrutiny as the organization considers how aggressively to promote players and how heavily to rely on them early in the season.

2. Rotation Clarity Begins to Form

Cannon’s performance will influence the early tiering of Chicago’s pitching competition. A strong outing could accelerate his campaign for a permanent rotation role, though he faces pressure from both veterans and rising prospects.

3. Cubs Integrating New Faces

Bregman and Carlson will be watched closely as the Cubs assess how well their revamped roster flows together. Early chemistry can set a positive tone for a team with postseason aspirations.

4. A Rivalry Reignited

Even in spring, Cubs–White Sox matchups carry unique emotion. Though the results do not impact standings, both clubs use these games to showcase depth and signal momentum to their fan bases.

The first game of Cactus League play may not come with October implications, but it does serve as a crucial launching point. For the White Sox, it marks the beginning of a season shaped by new expectations, ambitious talent, and an organizational belief that meaningful progress is within reach. For the Cubs, it offers the chance to build on last year’s competitive strides and evaluate important additions to a postseason-ready roster.

Either way, Friday at Sloan Park brings the first spark of baseball’s return — a yearly reminder that every storyline, every prospect, and every inning starts here.