White Sox looking to eliminate
Guardians at home in AL Division Series
[October 07, 2026]
By JAY COHEN
CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox last clinched a postseason
series at home when Jiggs Donahue and George Davis helped the South
Siders beat the Chicago Cubs in Game 6 of the 1906 World Series.
That's how long it's been. And the Cleveland Guardians have
absolutely no interest in being on the other side of the field for
the end of that streak.
Chicago leads Cleveland 2-0 in their best-of-five AL Division Series
going into Game 3 on Wednesday at Rate Field. The White Sox are
hoping to advance to the American League Championship Series for the
first time since 2005, while the Guardians are looking to take one
step toward a remarkable comeback.
“For us the mindset is very clear: We’ve got to win another game
because we don’t have the luxury to lose another one,” Guardians
third baseman José Ramírez said.
It's the first home playoff date for Chicago since 2021, marking
another moment in a surprising season after losing a total of 324
games over the previous three years. The team is encouraging its
fans to wear black as part of its blackout theme.
“I think it’s going to be electric,” White Sox reliever Bryan Hudson
said Tuesday. “I don’t think it will be anything we’re used to or
we’ve been in this year. I think it's going to be awesome. I think
all the boys are going to have some extra adrenaline.”
Chicago was much improved at home this season, going 48-33 after
finishing with a 33-48 record at Rate Field in 2025. It won four of
its six home games against Cleveland in the regular season.
While this is new territory for most of the White Sox, the Guardians
are in the playoffs for the third straight year. The AL Central
champions were better on the road (44-37) than they were at home
(41-40) this season.
“I always like playing on the road when it’s an exciting, loud
crowd, and anticipate it’s going to be just that,” Guardians manager
Stephen Vogt said. “And our guys have played in this environment
over and over again, whether it be postseasons in the past or
regular-season games. So expecting it to be a loud, hostile crowd
that’s talking a lot of smack to us from behind the dugout, and we
enjoy that.”
Each team is going with an opener. Left-hander Sean Newcomb starts
for Chicago, and right-hander Daniel Espino takes the mound for
Cleveland.
[to top of second column] |
Chicago White Sox's Munetaka Murakami of Japan, runs onto the field
for a baseball workout, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, in Chicago, ahead of
Wednesday's Game 3 in the American League Division Series against
the Cleveland Guardians. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
The White Sox have relied on their relievers while
winning their first four playoff games this year. They are the only
MLB team in the modern era to have their bullpen pitch five-plus
innings, strike out five-plus batters and earn the win in four
consecutive games, regular or postseason, according to Stats
Perform.
Newcomb worked two scoreless innings after Anthony Kay got the first
out for Chicago during a 4-3 win in Game 2 on Monday.
“We’ve leaned heavily on our bullpen, not only throughout the season
but certainly here in the playoffs as well,” general manager Chris
Getz said. “Is it creative? It is. Do we need to be different? We
do. But we’re also leaning into the strengths of our pitching staff
and our team.”
Chicago has been helped by off days after the first two games in the
series. If Cleveland avoids elimination in Game 3, the teams will
play again on Thursday.
Espino made his first career playoff appearance in the series
opener, getting two outs in relief of Parker Messick. The
25-year-old Espino has long been considered one of the team's top
prospects, but he was hampered by shoulder injuries before making
his major league debut in June.
“You just go out there and believe in your abilities and be
confident on the work that you’ve put in,” Espino said. “And I can
tell you, I’m prepared for this moment.”
All contents © copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved
 |
