I attended the last Chicago White Sox game prior to the Major League Baseball All-Star game. Although I am much more a Cubs fan, the first-place White Sox are a likable bunch.

When the season started, nobody expected the White Sox to lead the American League Central division with 50 wins at the break. The team lost at least 100 games the last three seasons. While improvement was expected, even the most ardent Sox fans didn’t envision a playoff berth, but with 67 games left, they are making a run for one.

The White Sox took the first two games of this series against the Athletics, who no longer call Oakland home or have any city affiliation in their name. Sunday’s game started on a sour note, as A’s catcher Shea Langelier hit a solo home run in the first inning. Unfortunately for the A’s, that would be it for the team.

The Sox roared back with six runs in the bottom of the inning. They added three more runs in the fifth inning as they cruised to a 9–1 victory.

Before the game the Sox introduced Munetaka Murakami, Miguel Vargas and Tristan Peters as their All-Star game representatives. The ceremonial first pitches were thrown by top draft picks Roch Cholowsky and Landon Thome. That’s a solid core of young players who should be around for a while.

While the area surrounding Rate Field doesn’t have as many dining options or the vibe of Wrigley Field, the food options and attractions in the stadium are excellent. The team does a nice job of honoring the past with Champions Plaza by the front gate and statues of White Sox legends in the outfield.

With the Sox winning, they are drawing big crowds, and tickets are harder to get. I am still more of a Cubs fan, but I like what I see happening on the South Side and will return this season. Maybe I’ll even see a playoff game.

— John Wroblewski, online writer