The White Sox are still playing in October, and now they’ve got something they hadn’t earned in 20 years: a postseason series win.
Chicago finished off Houston 2-0 in the Wild Card Series on Wednesday, riding a fast start and another steady night from the bullpen to punch its ticket to the ALDS. The victory sends the White Sox into a divisional matchup with the Guardians, with Game 1 set for Saturday afternoon in Cleveland.
The opening inning set the tone right away. Sam Antonacci started things with a double to left, then scored immediately on Kyle Teel’s single.
A third-base error by Nick Allen opened the door further, allowing Andrew Benintendi to drive in Teel with a single, and an errant throw to the plate brought home another run. Tristan Peters added an RBI single of his own, and before Houston had even stepped into the box, Chicago was up 4-0.
Astros starter Hunter Brown couldn’t get through the first inning, and Houston had to go to its taxed bullpen almost immediately.
Sean Burke worked with that cushion and mostly kept things under control early, though Jeremy Pena opened the bottom of the first with a leadoff homer. The Astros kept grinding back, getting solo shots from Jose Altuve and Cam Smith to trim the deficit to 4-3 by the fifth.
Chicago then had to lean on Anthony Kay after the Astros put runners on first and second with one out. Kay answered by getting Yordan Alvarez and Jose Altuve to fly out, ending the threat without damage.
The game’s turning point came in the sixth, and Chase Meidroth delivered it. After a pair of leadoff walks, Houston brought in Bryan Abreu, who got into trouble quickly and fell behind Meidroth 3-1. The next pitch was the one Meidroth was waiting for, and he turned it into a three-run homer that broke the game open for good.
For Meidroth, it was the kind of playoff moment that fits a breakout season. He’s been one of the White Sox’s best players all year, and this was the payoff: a swing that shut the door on Houston and sent Chicago into the next round.
The ALDS now shifts to Cleveland, where the White Sox will face a familiar opponent. Game 1 is scheduled for Noon Central on Saturday, followed by Game 2 at 4 p.m.
Central on Monday. Chicago has already guaranteed itself at least one home game, with Game 3 set for Wednesday at Rate Field.
If the series goes further, Game 4 would be Thursday in Chicago, and Game 5 would be next Saturday in Cleveland if needed. The remaining start times have not been announced.
The White Sox went 7-6 against the Guardians in the season, and they’ll head into the series with that in their pocket.
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