Story perspectives

White Sox beat Astros 6–3 in Wild Card Game 1

By Drooid · Oct 3, 2026, 2:57 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

White Sox Defeat Astros

Chicago White Sox defeated the Houston Astros 6–3 in Game 1 of the Wild Card series.
Pope Leo XIV sent a letter to chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, which the team posted on X before the game.
The White Sox will face the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Division Series starting Saturday.
Bleacher Report called the White Sox a compelling underdog after three straight 100-loss seasons and a 121-loss 2024.

Summary

Burke Starts Game2

Sean Burke will pitch in Game 2, marking his first postseason appearance.
Andrew Benintendi is the only Sox player with prior playoff experience, winning the 2018 World Series with Boston.
Colson Montgomery said outfielders Tommy Pham, Benintendi and Randal Grichuk are mentoring the rookie-heavy roster.
Veterans urged the team to keep routines unchanged and take the postseason day by day.

Summary

White Sox Launch Gear

White Sox retailers launched a 2026 playoff gear line celebrating the team’s first postseason win in 21 years.
Chase Meredith’s three-run sixth-inning homer drove a merchandise-sales surge, prompting early sell-outs of limited-edition items.
Ticket platforms listed ALDS prices, noting Cleveland hosts Games 1, 2 and possible 5 while Chicago hosts Games 3, 4.
The Guardians earned a first-round bye, securing home-field advantage and boosting demand for Cleveland ALDS tickets.

History

Historical Context

After ending an 88-year title drought with a 4-0 World Series sweep of the Houston Astros in 2005—Chicago’s first championship since 1917 and a 99-63 regular-season record—the White Sox returned to the postseason in 2026, winning a Wild Card series for the first time since that sweep. The 2024 wild-card victory echoes the 2005 resurgence, reviving Chicago’s market appeal.

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White Sox Defeat Astros

Chicago White Sox defeated the Houston Astros 6–3 in Game 1 of the Wild Card series.
Pope Leo XIV sent a letter to chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, which the team posted on X before the game.
The White Sox will face the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Division Series starting Saturday.
Bleacher Report called the White Sox a compelling underdog after three straight 100-loss seasons and a 121-loss 2024.

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