The Chicago White Sox can end the American League wild card series against the Houston Astros on Wednesday at Daikin Park after taking the opener 6-3. Rookie southpaw Hagen Smith started Game 1 with three innings, setting the tone in a contest where both teams used an opener. Houston, which clinched a postseason spot with an 81-81 record—the worst ever for a playoff team in MLB history—deployed eight pitchers in the loss.
Sean Burke is set to start for the White Sox in Game 2. Burke finished the regular season with an 11-8 record and a 3.34 ERA, offering Chicago a steady presence on the mound as they aim to sweep the series. The Astros will counter with right-hander Hunter Brown, who posted a 6-4 record and a 3.19 ERA during the year. Brown’s performance will be critical in keeping Houston’s season alive.
The winner of the best-of-three series will move on to face the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Division Series starting on Saturday, October 3. The stakes are high for both teams, with Chicago aiming to build on their Game 1 momentum and Houston fighting to extend their playoff run beyond the wild card round.
Game 2 is scheduled for 5 p.m. Eastern Time and will be broadcast on NBCSN, with streaming available on Peacock. Should the series require a deciding Game 3, it would also take place at Daikin Park on Thursday at the same time and channels, though the exact timing remains subject to change.
The White Sox’s opener strategy in Game 1 paid off as they managed to keep the Astros’ offense in check early, allowing their bullpen to maintain the lead. Houston’s reliance on multiple pitchers in the opener highlights their need to find answers quickly to avoid elimination.
With Sean Burke on the mound, Chicago looks to replicate the control and consistency that helped them secure the victory in Game 1. Hunter Brown will have the task of stifling the White Sox lineup and giving Houston a chance to force a Game 3.
The series has drawn attention partly because Houston entered the playoffs with a .500 record, the first team to do so in MLB history. That backdrop adds weight to Houston’s efforts to prove they belong in the postseason.
As of now, the White Sox stand one win away from advancing, while the Astros face a must-win scenario. Game 2 begins at 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday at Daikin Park.
According to Yahoo Sports.
