The White Sox lead the best-of-five series 1-0 after a 3-0 shutout victory in Game 1 on October 3 at Progressive Field. Munetaka Murakami hit a two-run homer, Colson Montgomery added an RBI double, and five Chicago pitchers combined for a three-hitter with 12 strikeouts. Cleveland stranded runners in scoring position (including bases-loaded situations) and managed just three hits.
Venue and First Pitch
Venue: Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio.
First pitch: 5:00 PM ET.
Broadcast: TBS, truTV, HBO Max (Spanish coverage available; national radio options).
Weather Forecast
Expect pleasant, cool, and dry conditions for an afternoon/early evening game. Forecasts call for sunny to mostly sunny skies on October 5, with a high near 60–63°F, lows in the mid-40s°F overnight, northwest winds 10–15 mph (gusts up to 25 mph possible), and near-zero chance of precipitation. Ideal baseball weather with comfortable temperatures.
Starting Pitchers
White Sox: LHP Anthony Kay (#18) as opener (with bulk/following work expected from Sean Burke or similar). 2026 regular season: 10-9, 4.44 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 129 strikeouts in 158.0 IP. Strong history vs. Cleveland (solid ERA in limited prior matchups) and effective in recent postseason relief appearances (scoreless outings). Chicago has relied heavily on openers and bullpen games throughout the postseason.
Guardians: RHP Gavin Williams (#32). 2026 regular season: 14-8, 3.76 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, MLB-leading 248 strikeouts in 184.1 IP (elite K/9 ~12.1). Second in the league in strikeouts overall with multiple double-digit K starts; strong home numbers. He provides a high-upside, strikeout-oriented presence in a must-win spot.
Current Rosters and Key Players
White Sox (manager Will Venable): Aggressive bullpen-oriented approach. Key contributors include 1B Munetaka Murakami (power threat, Game 1 hero), 3B Miguel Vargas, 2B Chase Meidroth, OF Randal Grichuk, Brenton Doyle, Tommy Pham, C Kyle Teel/Jake Rogers, and SS/INF options like Colson Montgomery. Pitching depth features openers (Kay, Hagen Smith previously), bulk arms, and closer Grant Taylor (long save in Game 1).
Guardians (manager Stephen Vogt): Balanced group with José Ramírez (key veteran bat), Steven Kwan (contact/OBP leader), Brayan Rocchio, Travis Bazzana, Nathaniel Lowe, Chase DeLauter, Patrick Bailey, and outfield depth (Jo Adell, Angel Martínez). Pitching includes high-K options and a rested bullpen after Game 1 usage.
Injury Reports
White Sox: Joey Bart (10-day IL, hand/fifth metacarpal fracture). Longer-term absences include Luis Castillo (shoulder), Prelander Berroa, Ky Bush, and others on 60-day IL (elbows/shoulders). No major new issues for the active roster.
Guardians: Rhys Hoskins (10-day IL, lower back inflammation—not on ALDS roster). Colin Holderman (15-day IL, wrist—out for postseason, likely surgery). No other significant active absences reported for Game 2.
Key Player Matchups
Kay/White Sox openers + bulk vs. Guardians lineup (Kwan, Ramírez, Rocchio, DeLauter, Bazzana): Chicago’s short-burst pitching has neutralized Cleveland so far. Kay’s lefty look and command vs. Kwan’s contact skills and Ramírez’s power will be critical early. Expect the White Sox to mix arms to disrupt Cleveland’s rhythm.
Williams vs. White Sox lineup (Murakami, Vargas, Meidroth, Grichuk, Doyle): Williams’ elite strikeout stuff matches up well against Chicago’s power-oriented bats. Murakami’s recent postseason power and Vargas’s production are the primary threats; Williams’ home dominance and K-rate give Cleveland a clear edge if he locates.
Secondary factors: Speed/defense (Doyle, Meidroth vs. Guardians’ range) and bullpen management after short starts. Progressive Field’s dimensions favor fly-ball pitchers and power.
Recent Team Forms
White Sox: Surging (won 9 of 11 entering/including early playoffs). Swept Houston in the Wild Card and dominated Game 1 of the ALDS with shutout pitching and timely power. Regular season: 84-78 (2nd in AL Central, one game behind Cleveland).
Guardians: AL Central champions (85-77) with a strong late regular-season push, but flat in Game 1 (shut out at home). Capable of high-K pitching and opportunistic offense; need to break through against Chicago’s multi-arm approach.
Series History
Tight AL Central rivals. White Sox held a narrow 7-6 edge in the 2026 regular-season series. Historical meetings have been competitive and often low-scoring. This is their first postseason series matchup; Chicago seized early control with the Game 1 shutout.
GAME ODDS
Chicago White Sox 6.5
Cleveland Guardians – 150
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, October 4, 2026
