White Sox can’t overcome early deficit as Guardians force ALDS Game 4 Thursday in Chicago

The White Sox will not go undefeated in the 2026 Postseason. After a 4-0 start that saw them sweep the Houston Astros and take a 2-0 lead over the Guardians, the White Sox ran into their first bit of adversity in their first home playoff game since 2021, and the outcome wasn’t in Chicago’s favor. Thankfully, they’ll have a second chance to clinch a playoff series at home for the first time since 1906 on Thursday. 

In front of a raucous crowd at Rate Field, the White Sox took an early lead in Game 3. Sean Newcomb worked a perfect first inning after a diving catch by Randal Grichuk, and the offense went to work. Sam Antonacci walked to lead off the home half and Miguel Vargas followed with a single. Munetaka Murakami struck out, but Kyle Teel drilled a double into the right field corner, scoring Antonacci and giving the Southsiders the early lead. Chase Meidroth and Tristan Peters struck out to end the threat. 

After a scoreless second for both pitchers, the White Sox turned to lefty Bryan Hudson in the third, and things began to derail. Hudson walked Travis Bazzana to lead it off and allowed a one-out single to Bryan Rocchio. Steven Kwan then singled in a run to tie the game, and the White Sox turned to Hagen Smith to limit the damage. Smith walked Jose Ramirez to load the bases and got Chase DeLauter to ground into a force out, setting the stage for Jo Adell. With two strikes, Adell ripped a high fastball into the right field corner, scoring three runs and giving Cleveland a 4-1 lead. In addition, White Sox catcher Kyle Teel burned both of the team’s ABS challenges in the third inning. 

Missed opportunities spelled the White Sox doom in ALDS Game 3

The White Sox chipped away at the lead in the fourth on a Chase Meidroth double followed by a Tristan Peters single, but the Guardians got the run right back in the fifth after a leadoff double by Jose Ramirez scored on a fielder’s choice. The White Sox had a prime scoring opportunity in the bottom half of the inning, but Miguel Vargas was caught too far off second base on Kyle Teel’s lineout, and the threat was extinguished. The resilient White Sox offense kept putting pressure on Cleveland, however. In the 6th, a two-out rally loaded the bases for Sam Antonacci, who was hit by a pitch for the second time today to bring home a run. Miguel Vargas ripped a ball into the hole on the left side, but Jose Ramirez made a diving play to save two runs and preserve the Guardians lead at 5-3. 

Just when it felt like the White Sox could be clawing their way back into the game, the Guardians added on, scoring two more in the eighth against David Sandlin and two more in the ninth against Davis Martin. Cleveland closer Cade Smith was lights out as usual, and the Guardians held on for a 9-3 victory. 

For the first time in this series, there will be no off-day following a game. The White Sox and Guardians will go head-to-head Thursday for Game 4 in Chicago. The White Sox will have another chance to clinch a playoff series at home for the first time in over a century, and the Guardians are looking to force Game 5 and send the series back to Cleveland on Saturday. Lefty Parker Messick, who the White Sox beat in Game 1, will get the ball for Cleveland. The White Sox have not yet announced a starter, but righty Erick Fedde has yet to pitch in this series and is likely to play a big role in Game 4. It’s a scary situation for the White Sox to be in, so the guys will need to step up to prevent Cleveland from getting right back into this series.

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