<p>The <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox" >White Sox</a> won their season series (seven games to six) against the division rival Guardians. But couldn’t hold them off in a late-September three-game set at Cleveland, or the American League Central standings as the Guardians won 24 of their last 34 games.</p><p>“It’s going to be one to remember,” reliever <b>Grant Taylor</b> said to the Sun-Times about this weekend’s ALDS matchup. “We’re going to go in and try to win two games at their place.”</p><p>It’s a playoff showdown that feels inevitable because the regular-season battle feels unresolved. Are the standings flipped if the fly ball Guardians infielder<b> Brayan Rocchio</b> lifted off Taylor found <b>Sam Antonacci</b>’s glove? Or was the level of baseball Cleveland reached down the stretch simply a cut above the rest of the division?</p><p>“We can beat Cleveland,” said general manager <b>Chris Getz</b>. “We’ve proven that we can. But they are definitely a team that’s been here before, and we respect them.”</p><p>The sides have disparate strengths.</p><p>The Sox followed up leading the AL in runs scored by chasing two Astros starters before they could complete the first inning, whereas the Guardians’ offense finished 11th, even with a late-season kick.</p><p>The Guardians flaunt a deep rotation and will throw likely AL Cy Young finalist <b>Parker Messick</b> in Game 1, followed by league strikeout leader <b>Gavin Williams</b> in Game 2. The Sox’ reliance on their bullpen will be strained over a best-of-five series and manager <b>Will Venable</b> laughed at the idea of having their Game 1 starter determined during Wednesday’s postgame celebration.</p><p>As much as the Sox celebrated guaranteeing a home playoff game by reaching this round, they will need to win at Progressive Field to advance, where they dropped four of seven in the regular season. It’s always the slimmest margin between these two.</p><p>But where the White Sox’ strong first half was reliant on dominance at home to offset struggles on the road, a postseason triumph in Houston has them feeling differently.</p><p>“All we need is our dugout,” said shortstop <b>Colson Montgomery</b>. “We love our fans and we love everyone that comes and travels and supports us. But it's about our dugout. We need each other and believe in each other.”</p><h3><b>Hicks on a heater</b></h3><p>Houston native <b>Jordan Hicks </b>was letter-perfect pitching in his hometown, retiring all 10 Astros he faced over his two Wild Card series appearances, striking out four.</p><p>After a rocky start to the year, Hicks raised his arm slot while sidelined with a lat strain, and found it restored the riding action on his four-seam fastball. His sinker also sinks less in turn, but forcing hitters to guess between two different types of triple-digit fastballs offset the loss.</p><p>Moreover, the newfound consistency of his delivery at this release point has made him a reliable option.</p><p>“I'm in a better position just throwing strikes at 100 to 102 mph versus trying to reach back for 103, 104 mph and then kind of spraying it a little bit, losing the feel,” Hicks said.</p><p>Being able to dial down to <i>just</i> 102 mph is a good place to be.</p><h3><b>ABS wizardry</b></h3><p>The White Sox preach being aggressive on challenges with the automated ball and strikes system (ABS), and are prouder of leading MLB in challenge rate than worried about being worst in success rate.</p><p>Catcher <b>Kyle Teel</b> balanced both in Houston, going 5-for-5 on challenges over two games.</p><p></p><div class="RelatedList Enhancement" data-module data-align-center>
<div class="RelatedList-title">Related</div>
<ul class="RelatedList-items">
<li class="RelatedList-items-item">
<a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2026/10/01/white-sox-manager-will-venable-doesnt-fear-mistakes-and-his-team-is-fearless-in-return" >White Sox manager Will Venable doesn’t fear mistakes, and his team is fearless in return</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p></p>
White Sox ready for ALDS showdown with Guardians that will be ‘one to remember’ 2026
IUSTITIA.BG – Investigations 2009-2026 2026-10-02 02:41:28
Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Justice Petar Nizamov Feathers Petar Nizamov- Feathers Justice bg iustitia.bg iustitia iusticia usticia investigation Burgas Bulgaria news news of the last hour news of the day news of today Bulgaria news The news from Bulgaria blitz news top news most important most commented latest news Boyko Borisov news weather coronavirus news news weather facebook youtube facebook instagram news today news of the last minutes news today today news news bg news leading news hot news bg news site for news all news news bg news of the last hour latest latest news bg news of today news today news today news of the last hour latest news today news bg news news 24 hours news vesti bg novini news world bird bg bivol bg bivol trud bg novini latest news today novinite bg news hello bulgaria political party coat of arms delyan peevski scandalous Bulgarian National Television Free Europe Television scandal exclusive live tv live right now tv tv online tv program bg live now tv news online tv online live court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas district court Burgas appellate court Burgas prosecutor Burgas prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev Prosecutor Geshev Tsatsarov Ministry of Internal Affairs Burgas ODMR Burgas ODPR Burgas police Burgas district police Burgas prosecutor Tsatsarov SGS cases Varna court chairman of the SGS court decisions on civil cases decisions on cases Plovdiv court decision of the court decisions cases Varna court criminal cases district district court decisions work in the court SGS chairman of the SGS judges Sofia court post judges Plovdiv court Plovdiv judges Plovdiv Supreme Court Inspectorate Supreme Court Supreme Judicial Council lawyer lawyer criminal cases lawyer civil cases lawyer marriage cases lawyer administrative criminal law criminal process civil law civil process administrative law constitutional law
