The Chicago White Sox defeated the Houston Astros 6-3 in the opening game of their American League playoff series on Tuesday night in Houston. The victory marked Chicago’s first postseason win since October 2021 and capped a historic turnaround for the team after consecutive 100-loss seasons.
Chicago, returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2021, became the first major league team to advance to the postseason following three straight seasons with 100 or more defeats. The White Sox set a record with 121 losses in 2024, the most since 1899, before rebounding under new management and player development.
The White Sox received a letter of encouragement from Pope Leo XIV, a native of Chicago, ahead of the game. They began strongly, taking a 3-0 lead after two innings, showing resilience at Minute Maid Park to hold on for the victory.
Colson Montgomery contributed a solo home run, while Sam Antonacci drove in two runs, leading Chicago’s offense. The White Sox took advantage of early scoring opportunities, including a sacrifice fly by Murakami in the first inning and a key single from Antonacci in the second that extended their lead to 3-0.
Both teams employed bullpen strategies, combining for 13 pitchers. Rookie left-hander Hagen Smith started for Chicago and pitched three scoreless innings, allowing just two hits. Houston’s rookie opener AJ Blubaugh struggled early, issuing two walks and helping set the stage for Chicago’s quick scoring.
The Astros, winners of the AL West division, entered the playoffs with an 81-81 regular season record, becoming the first team in a full season to reach the postseason without a winning record. Houston’s performance at home was disappointing, losing their eighth straight playoff game in Houston over nine postseason appearances in the past decade.
The Astros put pressure on Chicago late, with runners on first and third and two outs in the eighth inning. Singles by Jeremy Peña and MVP-contender Yordan Alvarez preceded a run-scoring error by White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas, allowing Peña to score and cutting the deficit to 6-3. However, Houston was unable to mount a complete comeback.
The announced crowd of 34,011 in the 40,963-capacity stadium appeared subdued, with some fans expressing frustration early as the Astros fell behind quickly. Houston will look to regroup as the series continues.