The Chicago White Sox finalized their roster ahead of the American League wild-card series against the Houston Astros, with Game 1 taking place at Daikin Park in Houston on Tuesday. Manager Will Venable announced a 26-player roster including 12 pitchers, two catchers, five infielders, and seven outfielders. Notably, right-handers Tyler Davis and Trevor Richards were left off the roster due to strategic pitching role considerations in the short series. Catcher Jake Rogers, recently on the paternity list, was included over Drew Romo.
The full pitching staff consisted of right-handers Huáscar Brazobán, Sean Burke, Erick Fedde, Jordan Hicks, Davis Martin, David Sandlin, and Grant Taylor, along with left-handers Bryan Hudson, Anthony Kay, Sean Newcomb, Noah Schultz, and Hagen Smith. The catchers were Kyle Teel and Jake Rogers. Infielders named were Luisangel Acuña, Chase Meidroth, Colson Montgomery, Munetaka Murakami, and Miguel Vargas. Outfielders included Sam Antonacci, Andrew Benintendi, Brenton Doyle, Randal Grichuk, Braden Montgomery, Tristan Peters, and Tommy Pham.
In the opening game, the White Sox edged out the Astros 6-3 in front of 34,011 fans. The pitching staff's bullpen-focused approach was evident as the White Sox used five pitchers over the course of the game. Starter Hagen Smith delivered three scoreless innings, while Grant Taylor secured the win with 2 1/3 innings of relief, allowing one unearned run, two hits, walking one, and striking out five.
Offensively, the White Sox capitalized early with Sam Antonacci sparking the offense by getting on base through a walk, advancing to third due to an error and scoring on a sacrifice fly by Murakami. Antonacci later contributed a two-run single to extend the lead. Colson Montgomery added a solo home run in the fourth inning, while Chase Meidroth scored on an infield hit in the fifth. Munetaka Murakami also drove in a run on a wild pitch in the seventh.
The Astros chipped away at the lead with a two-run homer by pinch hitter Nelson Velázquez in the fifth inning and a run reaching home on an error in the eighth. However, Taylor’s ability to strike out key hitters under pressure helped preserve the White Sox advantage to close out the game.
Venable praised the young White Sox players for their composure and confidence in the postseason environment. Looking ahead, Sean Burke is slated to start Game 2 at Daikin Park on Wednesday. The White Sox currently hold a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series as both teams prepare for the next matchup.