The Chicago White Sox have reached the American League Division Series for the first time in five years, only this time, they had to earn their way there. Unlike 2021, where winning the AL Central earned the White Sox a date with the Astros in the ALDS, it took the team’s first playoff series win since 2005 to make it this far. The White Sox can feel good about their victory, but there’s still work to be done, and a date with a division rival is on deck. Here’s everything you need to know about the White Sox upcoming series with the Guardians.
The White Sox win a postseason series for the first time since their World Series win in 2005.
— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) October 1, 2026
They'll face the Guardians in the ALDS. pic.twitter.com/HHhYArS1em
After off-days Thursday and Friday, the White Sox will kick off the ALDS at Progressive Field on Saturday, with first pitch scheduled for just after noon Central Time. They’ll have another day off on Sunday as the two National League games take center stage, but will be back in action Monday afternoon, with a 4pm Central start for Game 2 in Cleveland. Following Monday’s game, the series will head to Chicago, and Game 3 will take place Wednesday at 3pm Central at Rate Field. If the series is a sweep for either team, that’ll be it. If not, Game 4 is scheduled for 4pm Thursday in Chicago. If a Game 5 is necessary, the teams will head back to Cleveland for a 4pm game next Saturday. For each of the final two games in the series, if the White Sox and Guardians become the only game of the day (meaning the Rays vs Yankees series ends in three games), the game times will move to 7pm Central.
The White Sox have requested that fans who attend the games in Chicago wear black, as the team is planning on a blackout theme for all home Postseason games, though the afternoon start time definitely takes away from it a bit.
Unlike the Wild Card Series, which was viewable only on Peacock and a cable network, these games will be more easily accessible to fans. All five games will air on TBS, and for the streaming crowd, HBO Max. The two National League series will air on Fox, but the AL gets a streaming broadcast. As far as the broadcast crew goes, White Sox fans will no longer hear a familiar voice. Alex Faust, TBS broadcaster and play-by-play voice of the New York Rangers of the NHL, will take the lead for the series, accompanied by Mets color commentator Ron Darling and reporter Lauren Jbara.
The White Sox and Guardians played tight games all season long
The White Sox and Guardians played very competitive games against each other all season long, and I expect more of the same in the playoffs. The White Sox won the season series 7-6, and seven of the 13 games were decided by one run. Chicago went 4-2 against Cleveland at home and 3-4 against them on the road, and the Guardians will have the home field advantage. They’ll also be going against Cleveland’s best starters, with Parker Messick and Gavin Williams expected to start Games 1 and 2, respectively. The White Sox haven’t yet announced starters, but could be lined up to send Davis Martin to the hill in Game 1 and Sean Burke in Game 2.
I like the White Sox to win the series and advance to the ALCS, but it’s not going to be easy. The White Sox have momentum after sweeping the Astros in Houston this week, and the Guardians have had nearly a week off. Teams with a bye are just 8-8 in the Division Series since the format changed, so it’s more of a toss up than it seems. Anything can happen this week.
Beating the Guardians to advance to the ALCS would be a fantastic accomplishment for a young team, and it’s one that they believe will happen. It all gets started Saturday afternoon in Cleveland.
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