It seems like the White Sox remarkable season features a new hero every day. That’s been especially true this Postseason, which has seen contributions up and down the White Sox lineup and from several different areas of the pitching staff. During Monday’s dramatic comeback victory to give the White Sox a 2-0 lead in the ALDS, the big blow came from one of the more unlikely heroes.
Rookie outfielder Braden Montgomery, who made his big league debut for the White Sox on June 9th, came up with runners at second and third and two outs in the sixth against Guardians lefty Erik Sabrowski. Montgomery finished his rookie campaign with a .226/.312/.350 slash line and six home runs over 93 games, but those numbers were significantly better against right-handers. Against southpaws this season, Montgomery hit just .129 with a .430 OPS hitting from the right side this season, but it didn’t stop him from taking Sabrowski’s first pitch into the right field corner, scoring a pair of runs and giving the White Sox a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. After the game, Braden’s mom took to twitter with a message for the haters.
BRADEN MONTGOMERY DELIVERS
— MLB (@MLB) October 5, 2026
White Sox lead in the 6th! pic.twitter.com/AZcggaO5U0
MLB Postseason gives anyone a chance to be a hero
Part of what makes the MLB Postseason so exciting is that once it begins, nothing else matters. Players who struggled all season long get a fresh start in the playoffs, and the numbers during the regular season can be quickly forgotten. Montgomery may have struggled mightily against left-handers during the regular season, but none of that mattered when he gave the White Sox the lead in Game 2. He came through when it mattered most.
While Braden’s numbers from his rookie season won’t blow anyone away, White Sox fans have seen his talent on full display this season. The 23-year-old has flashed a unique blend of power and contact, and his switch-hitting ability will only add to his versatility. On defense, Braden has shown that teams should run on him at their own risk. The talent is obvious, and the White Sox feel like he’s just at the tip of the iceberg for his potential. He produced at every level of the minor leagues, and it's only a matter of time before he figures it out at the big league level as well.
Montgomery's offseason focus should certainly be on improving against left-handed pitching, but a walk-off home run in his MLB debut and a huge two-run double in a Postseason game have already put him in the good graces of most reasonable White Sox fans, and it feels like he’s just getting started.
As the White Sox head home for Game 3 against the Guardians, I’m at the edge of my seat wondering who’s going to step up next to keep this Cinderella run going.
Add us as a preferred source on Google