White Sox surge past Guardians 4-3
to take 2-0 lead in ALDS and move within 1 win of ALCS
[October 06, 2026]
By JOE REEDY
CLEVELAND (AP) — The White Sox are returning to Chicago one win from
advancing to the American League Championship Series for the first
time in 21 years.
Braden Montgomery lined a two-run double down the right-field line
in the sixth inning for the go-ahead runs and Sean Burke allowed one
hit in 5 1/3 innings of impressive relief as the White Sox rallied
past the Cleveland Guardians 4-3 on Monday to take a 2-0 lead in
their AL Division Series.
Game 3 is Wednesday afternoon at Guaranteed Rate Field, where the
White Sox have two chances to do something they haven't done since
1906 — clinch a postseason series at home.
“They've been waiting 120 years, so maybe we can do it this year,”
said Grant Taylor, who worked 1 1/3 innings and allowed one hit as
he got his second straight save. "I think it’s going to be
unbelievable. Those fans deserve it. They’ve been with us for three
years of 100 losses and they’ve been with us a good bit this year
giving us a lot of support as we’ve gone through this. So being able
to give them a postseason game is going to be pretty special."
The surprising White Sox improved to 4-0 in these playoffs — all on
the road — and are one win from reaching the ALCS for the first time
since winning the World Series in 2005. Chicago became the first
team to reach the postseason after three straight 100-loss seasons,
including a post-1900 record 121 defeats in 2024.
“Our club has been confident the entire year, regardless of the
previous result,” manager Will Venable said. “They come in ready to
play and turn the page. Now, we’re really excited to get playoff
baseball to our fans.”
Munetaka Murakami hit an RBI single in the fourth to get Chicago
within 2-1. Chase Meidroth added an RBI single to extend the lead to
4-2.
Jo Adell hit an RBI triple in the eighth and Chase DeLauter had two
hits for the Guardians.
Gavin Williams struck out 11, tied for second-most by a Cleveland
pitcher in a postseason game. But the offense failed to produce for
the second straight game.
“We have had two-game stretches like this all year and we come right
back. I've got a lot of faith in this offense. I have a lot of faith
in this team,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said. “We've got our
work cut out for us. Like I said, this team plays its best with its
back against the wall.”
3-run sixth propels the White Sox
The White Sox went ahead with a three-run sixth.
Miguel Vargas led off with a base hit to chase Williams and advanced
to second on a groundout. Randal Grichuk drew a walk before a wild
pitch by losing pitcher Erik Sabrowski with Tommy Pham at the plate
advanced the runners to second and third. Pham flied out to shallow
left before Montgomery jumped on a first-pitch fastball to drive in
the go-ahead runs.
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Chicago White Sox's Chase Meidroth, left, and Colson Montgomery,
right, celebrate after Game 2 of baseball's American League Division
Series against the Cleveland Guardians, Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, in
Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Montgomery celebrated at second base before scoring
on Meidroth’s single to right.
“I was just ready for something to attack, and I was ready for his
hardest stuff. I gave myself my best chance to succeed," Montgomery
said. “I can’t even describe how it felt. It’s exhilarating. I was
just taking it all in.”
Burke silences Cleveland's bats
Burke came on with one out in the third. After Travis Bazzana walked
with one out in the fourth, the right-hander retired 13 straight
batters until DeLauter got a base hit to end Burke's night.
Burke struck out six and threw 83 pitches, including 53 strikes, to
earn the win.
“I was able to settle in and find my groove,” Burke said. “I’ve had
openers before, but not in this situation, so I talked with a lot of
guys. It’s just normal baseball when you get into that game.”
Taylor entered and allowed an RBI triple to Adell before Nathaniel
Lowe flied out to end the eighth.
Guardians get on the board quickly
After getting shut out Saturday, the Guardians struck quickly with a
pair of runs in the first.
Steven Kwan led off with a single and José Ramírez walked before
Chase DeLauter's grounder off opener Anthony Kay moved the runners
to second and third. Sean Newcomb came on and intentionally walked
Adell to load the bases. Lowe hit a high chopper to drive in Kwan,
but Newcomb threw it wide of the bag at first, allowing Ramírez to
score on the error.
It marked the first time in four games this postseason the White Sox
were behind.
Kay faced three batters and threw 17 pitches, including eight
strikes.
Williams strong early
Williams didn’t allow a hit until Kyle Teel led off the fourth with
a single.
The right-hander allowed two runs and four hits in five-plus
innings. He had eight strikeouts in the first three innings and
became the first Cleveland pitcher to strike out five straight in a
postseason game.
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