White Sox beat Guardians 3-0 in ALDS Game 1.
The Cleveland Guardians host the Chicago White Sox in ALDS Game 1 on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET at Progressive Field. The game airs on TBS and streams on HBO Max and Sling.
- Cleveland finished 85-77; Chicago went 84-78 and took the Wild Card.
- Chicago swept Houston with a 2.50 staff ERA, 22 strikeouts in 18 innings.
- LHP Parker Messick starts for Cleveland: 12-9, 2.56 ERA, 193 strikeouts.
- LHP Hagen Smith opens for Chicago: 3-3, 1.29 ERA, 41 strikeouts in 28 innings.
Why it matters: Cleveland is the No. 2 AL seed and earned a Wild Card bye; this is its third straight AL Central title. Chicago enters its first division series since ending a 21-year playoff series drought.
- White Sox slugged .409 in 13 regular-season meetings and led MLB in isolated power against left-handed pitching.
- Jose Ramirez batted .229/.296/.302 after returning from hamate surgery, with two barrels in 184 batted balls.
How 11 sources split on this story
Where they split: Analysts disagree on whether the White Sox offense or Cleveland's pitching staff holds the decisive edge in this series.
Center coverage, 8 sources: The center focuses on logistics — where to watch, the series schedule, and split staff predictions that lean toward Cleveland but acknowledge Chicago's upset potential.
USA Today2hHow dynamite Chicago White Sox have stayed perfect in MLB playoffsPenPennLive9hWhere to watch White Sox vs. Guardians ALDS Game 1 today on free streams, TV
ESPN1hWhite Sox shut down Guardians to win Game 1 of ALDS
Heavy8hCleveland Guardians Announce Jo Adell Move Before ALDS vs. White SoxNewNews4Jax3hWhite Sox beat Guardians 3-0 in Game 1 of ALDS behind Murakami homer, 3-hitter
Newsweek2hGuardians manager makes surprise admission after ALDS-opening loss
Reuters3hWhite Sox gain ALDS edge with Munetaka Murakami HR, shutout pitchingWYWKBN Youngstown3hWhite Sox beat Guardians 3-0 in Game 1 of ALDSLeft coverage, 1 sources: The left frames Cleveland as the rightful favorite, highlighting the Guardians' pitching depth, timely hitting, and the potential of rookies Chase DeLauter and Travis Bazzana as series-defining factors.
Right coverage, 2 sources: The right frames the White Sox as undervalued, pointing to their power numbers, plate discipline, and series odds as reasons to back Chicago at plus-money in Game 1.
What’s next: Manager Stephen Vogt moved Jo Adell to DH batting cleanup for Game 1.
- Manager Will Venable plans to use Smith as an opener before turning to the bullpen.
- Can Jose Ramirez perform at his usual level while managing the effects of his hamate injury?
- How many innings will Hagen Smith pitch before Chicago's bullpen takes over, and how will that bullpen hold up across a five-game series?