White Sox Surge from Rebuild to Playoff Contention
The Chicago White Sox have achieved a remarkable turnaround, advancing from a record-setting losing season to winning their first playoff series in two decades.
In a dramatic two-year transformation, the Chicago White Sox have climbed from a historic 121-loss season to securing their first playoff series victory in 21 years. This rapid ascent has been fueled by key acquisitions that have revitalized the team.
The White Sox's playoff success came shortly after trading ace Garret Crochet in 2024. The package received in that deal included infielder Chase Meidroth, catcher Kyle Teel, and outfielder Braden Montgomery, all of whom played significant roles in the team's American League Wild Card sweep over Houston.
Further bolstering the lineup, Miguel Vargas experienced a breakout All-Star season in 2026 after being acquired in a three-team trade. The addition of Japanese power hitter Munetaka Murakami has also injected considerable strength into the offense.
ALDS Game 1 Preview: White Sox vs. Guardians
The American League Central has become a focal point of the postseason as the White Sox prepare to face the Cleveland Guardians in Game 1 of the ALDS on Saturday. DraftKings has set the White Sox at +126 odds to win the opener and +120 to win the best-of-five series.
Chicago is set to start rookie Hagen Smith, who will be making his second postseason appearance. In his last outing against the Astros, Smith pitched three scoreless innings. He is expected to be used as an opener before handing the ball to the bullpen, which ranked eighth overall in MLB.
Opposing Smith will be Guardians' left-hander Parker Messick. Messick posted a 2.81 ERA in four starts against the White Sox during the regular season. He will face a Chicago lineup that led the majors in isolated power against left-handed pitching.
The White Sox offense demonstrated considerable power, finishing fifth in MLB in home runs with three players hitting over 30 long balls. They also exhibited strong plate discipline, ranking sixth in lowest chase rate and sixth in highest walk rate.
Cleveland's offense struggled with power, with Angel Martinez leading the team with only 18 home runs. A significant concern for the Guardians is the performance of Jose Ramirez, who hit just .229 with a .302 slugging percentage after returning from hamate surgery, registering only two barrels in 184 batted balls.
During the 13 regular-season matchups, the White Sox held a slight edge, slugging .409 and winning seven of the 13 games, outscoring Cleveland 57-56. Given the close regular-season contests and the White Sox's current momentum, they are considered a strong contender at their current odds.
