Chicago White Sox Advance to AL Division Series
The Chicago White Sox have secured their spot in the American League Division Series after sweeping the Houston Astros in a two-game set. This marks the first time the Sox have won a postseason series since their 2005 World Series victory over the Astros, ending an 88-year championship drought. Next, they face the Cleveland Guardians in a best-of-five ALDS. The Guardians narrowly won the AL Central by one game, marking their third consecutive division title and seventh in the last eleven years.
Game 1: White Sox 6, Astros 3
In Game 1 of the American League wild-card series, held on September 29, 2026, at Houston’s Daikin Park, shortstop Colson Montgomery and second baseman Chase Meidroth helped lead the White Sox to a 6-3 victory. Both teams started the game with openers on the mound, and the bullpens were heavily utilized. The crowd of 34,011 witnessed the Sox pull ahead and secure the win.
Read more: Pope Leo’s blessings set the tone for the White Sox playoff opener. Munetaka Murakami is prepped to lead in his first MLB postseason. White Sox set roster: 12 pitchers, 2 catchers, 5 infielders, 7 outfielders. Fans find redemption in unexpected postseason success.
Game 2: White Sox 7, Astros 3
In the second game on September 30, 2026, the White Sox again started strong with four first-inning runs. The Astros narrowed the gap with single runs in the first three innings, but Chase Meidroth’s three-run homer in the sixth extended Chicago’s lead. Jordan Hicks and Erick Fedde each pitched two shutout innings to secure a 7-3 win and sweep the series.
Read more: White Sox conversion, including Jerry Reinsdorf, explained. Advice for Sox rookies ahead of their first postseason. Challenges of finding a playoff game on TV. Sox capitalize on an unexpected playoff run for marketing momentum.
Historical Achievement
Braden Montgomery and Munetaka Murakami celebrated the White Sox clinching a playoff spot on September 24, 2026, in Kansas City with a 9-1 win over the Royals. The team achieved an unprecedented comeback, reaching the playoffs after losing over 100 games in each of the previous three seasons. This significant turnaround follows their losing 101 games in 2023, a record 121 in 2024, and 102 last season. Third baseman Miguel Vargas expressed how special and fun this moment is for the team and the organization.
Read more: The White Sox’s historical postseason chase. Miguel Vargas’s journey from 2024. Challenges await in wild-card series vs. Astros. 3 keys to victory for the White Sox in the AL wild-card.