The White Sox sweep Astros story is official: Chicago completed a stunning American League Wild Card Series sweep with a 7-3 victory over Houston in Game 2 on Wednesday night, advancing to the AL Division Series for the first time since 2005. A three-run homer from Chase Meidroth and a four-run first inning powered the White Sox past the Astros at home, where Houston dropped its ninth straight postseason game.
Chicago will face AL Central champion Cleveland in the ALDS beginning Saturday, continuing one of the most remarkable turnarounds in baseball history.
White Sox Sweep Astros With Four-Run First Inning in Game 2
The White Sox wasted no time on Wednesday, pouncing on Houston ace Hunter Brown for four runs in the first inning. Brown, who entered the game 6-0 with a 2.39 ERA in six career starts against the White Sox, was lifted after recording just two outs — and he was not helped by a sloppy Houston defense that committed two first-inning errors.
It was the second straight night Chicago jumped on the Astros early. A day earlier, the White Sox scored three runs in the first two innings of their 6-3 win in Game 1, setting the tone for the series.
The decisive blow came from Chase Meidroth, whose three-run homer broke the game open and silenced the home crowd. According to the Associated Press, the homer was the centerpiece of an offensive night that kept constant pressure on the Houston pitching staff.
Astros’ Brief Rally Falls Short
The Astros did not go quietly. Solo home runs from Jeremy Peña, Cam Smith, and Jose Altuve pulled Houston back within one run entering the sixth inning, threatening to swing the momentum of the series.
But Chicago’s pitching slammed the door. AJ Blubaugh, who opened Game 1, and Peter Lambert, pitching on two days’ rest, combined to retire the next 13 batters after Brown exited. Chicago’s next baserunner did not arrive until Lambert walked Andrew Benintendi to start the sixth and then walked Tristan Peters — but the threat went nowhere, and Houston never seriously menaced again.
The loss extended Houston’s misery at home in October. The Astros, who went 81-81 in the regular season, became the first team in MLB history to reach the postseason without a winning record. They have now dropped nine straight home playoff games and appeared in the postseason in nine of the last ten years — a streak of sustained relevance that made this early exit all the more jarring.
Historic Turnaround for the White Sox
The White Sox sweep of the Astros is the first playoff series victory for the franchise since Chicago beat Houston in the 2005 World Series — a full circle moment that few could have imagined even a year ago.
Chicago lost 100 games in each of the last three seasons. According to the Associated Press, the White Sox are the only team in major-league history to follow consecutive 100-loss seasons with a playoff berth. Under second-year skipper Will Venable, the club completed one of the fastest rebuilds the sport has ever seen.
The run even drew attention from an unlikely fan. A social media post from the White Sox this week showed an inspirational letter received from Pope Leo XIV, a lifelong Chicago baseball fan, who wrote to owner Jerry Reinsdorf: “I willingly invoke the Almighty’s abundant blessings upon you and your loved ones.”
For a broader look at how the postseason field shaped up, see our MLB playoff bracket breakdown.
White Sox vs Guardians: ALDS Preview
The reward for the sweep is a matchup with the AL Central champion Cleveland Guardians, with the best-of-five ALDS beginning Saturday in Cleveland.
Cleveland’s pitching staff presents a sterner test than the version of Hunter Brown the White Sox saw in Game 2, and the Guardians’ home-field advantage makes them the favorites on paper. But Chicago’s formula — strike early, ride timely power from unexpected sources like Meidroth, and lean on a bullpen that retired 13 straight Astros — has already toppled a nine-time-in-ten-years playoff team.
The series schedule, rotation matchups, and start times will be finalized by MLB later this week. What is certain is that the White Sox will carry the sport’s best story — from three straight 100-loss seasons to the ALDS — into October’s second round.
FAQ
What was the score of White Sox vs Astros Game 2?
The Chicago White Sox defeated the Houston Astros 7-3 in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series on September 30, 2026, completing a two-game sweep. Chase Meidroth hit a three-run homer, and the White Sox scored four runs in the first inning against Houston ace Hunter Brown.
When was the last time the White Sox won a playoff series before 2026?
Before sweeping the Astros, the White Sox had not won a playoff series since beating the Houston Astros in the 2005 World Series — a 21-year drought. This is also the franchise’s first trip to the ALDS since then.
Who do the White Sox play next in the ALDS?
The White Sox will face the AL Central champion Cleveland Guardians in the American League Division Series, beginning Saturday in Cleveland. It is a best-of-five series.
How many games did the White Sox lose in each of the last three seasons?
The White Sox lost 100 games in each of the last three seasons. According to the Associated Press, they are the only team in major-league history to follow consecutive 100-loss seasons with a playoff berth.
Source: theScore (Associated Press)
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