Paul Sullivan

Paul Sullivan is the Chicago Tribune's In the Wake of News columnist and baseball writer, covering the Cubs, White Sox and national news. A 44-year Tribune veteran, Sullivan was named Illinois Sportswriter of the Year in 2015, '16 and '19 and earned the Ring Lardner Award for excellence in sports journalism in 2018.

Gareth Mullins reacts after Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio drove in a run with a single during the ninth inning of Game 3 in the AL Division Series against the White Sox on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, at Rate Field. The Sox lost 9-3 and will face the Guardians on Thursday in Game 4. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Column: Rate Field was ready for a clincher, but the Chicago White Sox staged a Game 3 clunker

October 7, 2026 at 7:21 p.m.

Chicago White Sox fans brought the smoke for Game 3 of the ALDS, refusing to take a single pitch off as their team played from behind most of the game.

From left, Amador Castro and his son Trajan Castro wear pope hats while walking outside before the White Sox play Game 3 of the AL Division Series against the Guardians at Rate Field Oct. 7, 2026 in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

What to know about Chicago White Sox’s ALDS Game 3, including a mystery first pitch and special Rate Field cut

October 7, 2026 at 3:13 p.m.

Here's what to expect at Rate Field for the start of Game 3 of the American League Division Series at Rate Field.

White Sox players Brenton Doyle, Munetaka Murakami, Sam Antonacci and Miguel Vargas talk on the field during a workout at Rate Field on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Column: Sunny forecast for the Chicago White Sox after years of gloom and doom

October 6, 2026 at 7:21 p.m.

Sunny days at Rate Field as the Chicago White Sox try to clinch their first postseason series win at home since the 1906 World Series.

White Sox pitcher Mike Vasil hoists infield coach Justin Jirschele (71) as they dance in the dugout before Game 2 of the AL Division Series against the Guardians on Oct. 5, 2026, in Cleveland. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago White Sox are in a postseason groove, as their dance moves prove

October 6, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

The Chicago White Sox are one win from clinching a spot in the ALCS and return home to Rate Field for what figures to be a dance-athon for the ages.

White Sox pitcher Grant Taylor raises his arms in celebration of a 4-3 win over the Guardians in Game 2 of the AL Division Series on Oct. 5, 2026, in Cleveland. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Column: Chicago White Sox win Game 2 even as their pitching goes from slow to stellar

October 5, 2026 at 9:44 p.m.

Not everything is going right for the Chicago White Sox this postseason. It just seems that way when you're on a roll.

White Sox left fielder Sam Antonacci, left, and right fielder Braden Montgomery stretch during a workout Sunday, Oct. 4, in Cleveland. The White Sox play the Guardians in Game 2 of the AL Division Series on Monday. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Column: White Sox welcoming Cubs fans to hop on the playoff bandwagon … with a few caveats

October 5, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

Now that the Cubs have bowed out of the postseason and the White Sox are in the ALDS, is it time for detente in the intense Chicago baseball rivalry?

White Sox pitcher Grant Taylor celebrates after a 3-0 win over the Guardians in Game 1 of the AL Division Series on Oct. 3 in Cleveland. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Column: Grant Taylor and the Chicago White Sox relievers keep doing ‘our little thing’ in Game 1 win

October 3, 2026 at 6:53 p.m.

Grant Taylor and four other Chicago White Sox pitchers combined for a 3-0 shutout Saturday, allowing just three hits and striking out 12 Cleveland Guardians in Game 1 of the...

White Sox manager Will Venable hands the ball to pitcher Anthony Kay in the fifth inning against the Astros in Game 2 of the wild-card series Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, in Houston. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Column: Can the Chicago White Sox keep succeeding in the postseason without a conventional rotation?

October 2, 2026 at 6:58 p.m.

The Chicago White Sox could go through the postseason without using their rotation in a conventional manner. Can the strategy work all through the playoffs?

White Sox pitcher Erick Fedde, right, is congratulated by teammates after a 7-3 win over the Astros in Game 2 of the wild-card series on Sept. 30, 2026, in Houston. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Column: One city, two teams and plenty of emotions after White Sox and Cubs split wild-card series

October 1, 2026 at 5:09 p.m.

The White Sox move on in the postseason while the Cubs come home to lick their wounds. A few observations from a wild week of playoff baseball in Chicago.

White Sox players, coaches and staff gather for a group photograph after a 7-3 win over the Astros in Game 2 of the wild-card series to advance to the American League Division Series on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, in Houston. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Column: Chicago White Sox have made converts out of everyone — including Jerry Reinsdorf

September 30, 2026 at 9:25 p.m.

The Chicago White Sox's first postseason series win since the 2005 World Series vindicated Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf for promoting Chris Getz to general manager.

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