Episodes

  • Sox Pop on the Farm 61 — May review! — 2025-06-07

    Sox Pop on the Farm 61 — May review! — 2025-06-07
    Jun 7 2025
    We had the full South Side Sox minors crew together (Joe Resis, Kristina Airdo, Melissa Sage-Bollenbach, Hannah Filippo) joining host and reluctant minor league recapper Brett Ballantini to discuss recent trends and the overall look of the system, along with discovering how badly Brett can beat a bad joke into the ground. With a full crew, we opted for a potluck approach this time around, so here were our topics in rough order of appearance: Rundown of the state of the system, if the season ended today there would be only one playoff team in the mix, the Birmingham Barons (themselves just 28-24 at time of recording) Joe's first topic was an obvious one: Kyle Teel, just called up from Charlotte. Praise for his game, appreciation that the White Sox are embracing a youth movement (one year late), as it were, and acknowledgement of Teel fighting his way out of a long and rough slump in-between hot starts to April and ends to June Kristina voluntarily chose to discuss the wincably-bad Charlotte pitching staff Melissa countered with talk of Lucas Gordon's case for promotion Hannah talked Kannapolis clubbers, including the impressive Caleb Bonemer Brett wrapped up the first half with a rundown of the system and posing the question of why a top-ranked system produces so few wins Joe started the second half with an in-depth study of Samuel Zavalas and the extended Zavala family Kristina flagged concern in Birmingham surrounding the disappearance of Hagen Smith Melissa says whoa there, how have we talked this long without mentioning site hero RIKUU NISHIDA in Birmingham? Brett's pick is to take a WAR review of the Garrett Crochet trade and estimating that this could be at the very least a win-win deal for both sides Hannah laments the loss of Oscar Colás, now an Angel Please support our White Sox writing and podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 16 mins
  • Visiting Dugout Episode 90 — Kansas City Royals — 2025-06-06

    Visiting Dugout Episode 90 — Kansas City Royals — 2025-06-06
    Jun 6 2025
    Michael "Lux" Farina joined Chrystal for a quick update on Kansas City and a series preview. The Royals will make the trip up to Chicago for a three-game set full of good pitching matchups. Here is what we talked about: What's new in Kansas City? Jac Caglianone's recent call-up and first MLB hit Who did Michael pick for last place in power rankings this year? All-Star game picks Chase Meidroth Rating the offseason What needs were met, and why didn't K.C. get a power bat? Avoiding a couple of hot messes the Royals were eyeing in the offseason The Royals won't climb to the top of the American League Central, but 86 wins is a reasonable task for the team Pitching matchups Michael Lorenzen's recent struggles and Seth Lugo's health Threats to the White Sox Keys to winning the series What Michael worries about for the upcoming series MLB roundup: surprises, hot takes and what we're seeing Someone cursed the Rockies Making Jerry pay for his sins You can find Michael on Twitter/X or Bluesky. You can also read his work over at Farm To Fountains and listen to his podcast Royal de Lux on the Fans First Sports Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    33 mins
  • Visiting Dugout Episode 89 — Detroit Tigers — 2025-06-02

    Visiting Dugout Episode 89 — Detroit Tigers — 2025-06-02
    Jun 2 2025
    Brandon Day of Bless You Boys joined to discuss the Tigers and help break down the series. Having quite a year, the Tigers have stormed into first place in the AL Central, reminding everyone that they are the team to beat. And they're only getting healthier, and unfortunately, better. Here is what Chrystal and Brandon talked about: The Javy Báez resurgence: from injury to center field star What's new in Detroit AJ Hinch saved the organization Casey Mize figured out his splitter, and Spencer Torkelson is a hitting machine Are the White Sox cursed? Chrystal's thoughts on Will Venable Rating the offseason Alex Bregman is a persona non grata in Detroit Brandon's thoughts on the season Pitching matchups Is Tarik Skubal the best pitcher in baseball right now? Another Cy Young Award year? Relief pitchers shouldn't win the Cy Young and other old-head takes Bullpen standoffs, clearing the benches, and why isn't there music involved? The biggest threat to the White Sox Keys for the Tigers to win the series Fears heading into the series Gambling has ruined sports Don't send death threats to anyone Robot umps and getting accustomed to new rules Why socks? You can find Brandon and Bless You Boys on X and Bluesky, and on our sister site with the same name. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Sharing Sox Podcast 145 — Come what May — 2025-05-31

    Sharing Sox Podcast 145 — Come what May — 2025-05-31
    Jun 1 2025
    With the advertised deadline for trading Luis Robert Jr. gone, duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast corespondent, Will, start off looking at some other trade possibilities. Will suggests Miguel Vargas’ resurrection may not be for real and this would be a good time to trade him and get valuable returns. Leigh suggests one of the young starting pitchers, maybe Jonathan Cannon, despite word on the farm that Noah Shultz and Hagen Smith are both struggling. Both consider Andrew Benintendi — if the Sox eat a lot of salary — but decide that’s not a Jerry-ish thing to do. Other fronts covered include Lenyn Sosa’s ability to hit .280 but only have an on-base percentage of .298, the quandary of a defense that lacks a true shortstop, now or possibly nigh on forever, the unlikelihood that Mike Tauchman can sustain his current pace, the possibility of converting Edgar Quero to just a right-hand hitter if his huge splits continue, the likelihood Andrew Vaughn may be through as a major league (he’s struggling in Charlotte), and how the schedule turns nasty after this weekend in Baltimore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    46 mins
  • Visiting Dugout Episode 88 — Baltimore Orioles — 2025-05-30

    Visiting Dugout Episode 88 — Baltimore Orioles — 2025-05-30
    May 30 2025
    Dream, of For The Numbers Fantasy, joined Chrystal to chat about the sorry state of the Baltimore Orioles and help preview the upcoming series. The White Sox and Orioles face each other in what could be a mid-off after a slow start from the O's, and well, Chicago being uninspiring after a painful, record-breaking season in 2024. Here is what we talked about: What's new with the Orioles Was Brandon Hyde's firing a scapegoat for deeper issues within the organization? The grass isn't always greener; see Rick Hahn and Chris Getz as an example of that How much can the front office be blamed when the product on the field can't hold up their end of the bargain? Rating the offseason Jackson Holliday's mechanical changes and move to leadoff Injuries have plagued Baltimore, and pitching is abysmal Pitching matchups, of the three, Tomoyuki Sugano might be the only good O's starter the White Sox will face Trade bait, and the lack thereof with Luis Robert Jr. Old friends of the White Sox who are doing better elsewhere Is Gunnar Henderson the biggest threat to White Sox pitching? The keys to winning the series Fears ahead of the series Why we're seeing a lack of the long ball and fun home runs The AL East has been really bad, and the AL Central has been really good The Dodgers are deep in the pitching injury drought You can find Dream on Twitter. He will also help out with some fantasy tips and betting at FTN Fantasy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • Visiting Dugout Episode 87 — New York Mets — 2024-05-26

    Visiting Dugout Episode 87 — New York Mets — 2024-05-26
    May 26 2025
    Jesse Spector joined the show to chat about the New York Mets and the upcoming series with the White Sox. Could Chrystal have answered all of these questions, considering her dual fandom? Yeah. But what is the fun in that? Here is what they talked about: What's new with the Mets? Hot April, cold May Juan Soto has had a slow start, and Pete Alonso has been streaky at best Will the Rockies lose 122? Grading the offseason Thoughts on how the season will go for the Mets Anything other than going to at least the NLCS will be boring Adrian Houser was so bad with the Mets Pitching matchups Chrystal is a Tylor Megill apologist The biggest threat to the White Sox Keys to winning the series Fears heading into the series Around the league: Red Sox City Connects, the Orioles, ranking ballparks, Dugout of History podcast You can find Jesse on Bluesky and look for Casual Diehard, especially Dugout of History, wherever you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    54 mins
  • Ladies' Night Episode 16 — Fading Rivalry, Vargas' Vibes, and Prospect Power — 2025-05-15

    Ladies' Night Episode 16 — Fading Rivalry, Vargas' Vibes, and Prospect Power — 2025-05-15
    May 22 2025
    In the seventh episode of the 2025 season, Kristina Airdo, South Side Sox writer/editor and Sox Populi podcaster, joins host Melissa Sage-Bollenbach to discuss several topics related to baseball, sports, and our beloved — or despised, depending on the day — South Siders. Whether you're a die-hard White Sox fan or not, there's something for everyone. So, sit back, relax, and grab your favorite beverage because the girls hit a home run conversing about all things, including: Crosstown Classic Conversation: Is it a Fading Rivalry? The once electrifying "Crosstown Classic" between the White Sox and Cubs seems to have lost its spark. In recent years the Cubs have consistently dominated, and the White Sox have rarely shown the readiness to challenge that narrative. Red-Hot Miguel Vargas: Beyond the Stance. Miguel Vargas, the AL Player of the Week for May 12, exploded with a .417/.423/1.000 slash line, including two doubles, four home runs, nine RBI, and five runs. Is his recent surge solely attributable to his adjusted batting stance? More importantly, can he sustain this success in the long term? Minor League Spotlight: A closer look at emerging prospects like Andre Lipcius and Ryan Galanie, alongside updates on highly-touted talents Noah Schultz, Kyle Teel, Hagen Smith, and Braden Montgomery. Don’t forget to check out the Sox Populi YouTube channel (and please subscribe) or listen on Megaphone below. If you love our White Sox coverage, consider supporting us on Patreon to keep the writing and podcasts going strong! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    45 mins
  • Soxy Chicks 8 — News, notes, and the death of the P00P series — 2025-05-20

    Soxy Chicks 8 — News, notes, and the death of the P00P series — 2025-05-20
    May 20 2025
    Bayleigh and Chrystal are back to chat about what's new in Major League Baseball: The Red Sox and White Sox are bad The Tigers managed to get it right What on earth happened to the Orioles? Rafael Devers drama Red Sox City Connects and how team stores suck Pete Rose Kolten Wong retires at 34 after not playing since 2023 The other side of 30 can be good or bad Aaron Judge — is he human? The Twins have finally lost a game after a 13-game win streak Is the American League Central sort of good right now? The Angels swept the Dodgers! Mick Abel outshone Paul Skenes in a crazy turn of events Is Paul Skenes leveling out? RIP P00P series Jac Caglianone has been promoted to AAA Bub Black and the Rockies Dan Serafini's trial for murdering his father in-law and causing serious harm to his mother in-law, who died by suicide a year later The White Sox have given Chrystal Stockholm Syndrome How secure is Alex Cora's job? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 10 mins