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White Sox ace Davis Martin dominates Cubs in first Crosstown Classic start

Martin lowered his ERA to 1.61 after carving through the Cubs lineup over six strong innings.
ByCasey McAleer|
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Apr 10, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher Davis Martin (65) on the mound during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images
Apr 10, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher Davis Martin (65) on the mound during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images | William Purnell-Imagn Images

Davis Martin picked a pretty memorable time to deliver one of the best starts of his 2026 season. The Crosstown Classic is an important series to the city of Chicago, albeit most of the time it's been more of a figurative rivalry than it has been one with actual stakes. Pitching has been a sore spot for both of these franchises, but for vastly different reasons.

Martin had never faced the Cubs before, yet he displayed a dominance over the north siders most only acquire via experience. The Cubs entered the game at 29-17, and despite the offense being a source of pride for them, Martin managed six innings of one run baseball, struck out seven, and enabled hist team to maintain the game from the start.

Davis Martin controlled the game from the opening inning

Martin has had a good season of longevity on the mound, routinely throwing for over five innings. Not once this season has he exited the game prior to throwing five innings, and Saturday was no exception. The 29 year old right hander earned this win through strikeouts and soft contact outs.

This was one of the games where the White Sox showed that they're not the team they've been in the past few years. The White Sox have moved hard to overcome foundational issues sourced from almost all directions. Saturday's game was a prime example of the White Sox outgrowing previous systemic issues.

Several White Sox players teed off on Cubs starter Jameson Taillon, with Munetaka Murakami going yard twice and driving in three runs. Colson Montgomery added his 13th homer of the year, bringing his home run streak to three games.

All in all, the White Sox played an excellent game, and it all starts with the pitching. Martin did exactly what the White Sox needed him to do, lowering his ERA to 1.61 while collecting his sixth win of the season in the process.

The White Sox needed a stabilizing performance after dropping the opening game of the series, and Davis Martin delivered exactly that. Against one of baseball’s better lineups, the 29-year-old right hander looked composed from the opening inning and never really let the Cubs settle into the game.

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