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The Chicago White Sox beat the Houston Astros 7-3 on Wednesday, completing a sweep of their AL Wild Card Series. Chicago advances to face Cleveland in the AL Division Series, which begins Saturday in Cleveland.
The Chicago White Sox beat the Houston Astros 7-3 on Wednesday, Sept. 30, sweeping their American League Wild Card Series and advancing to face Cleveland in the AL Division Series. Chase Meidroth’s three-run homer in the sixth inning restored Chicago’s four-run lead after Houston had cut the deficit to one.
Chicago took control early, scoring four runs in the first inning against Houston starter Hunter Brown. The Astros’ defense committed two errors in the inning, and Brown was removed after recording just two outs. The White Sox had scored three runs across the first two innings of their 6-3 win in the previous game.
Houston responded with solo home runs by Jeremy Peña, Cam Smith and Jose Altuve. Altuve’s fourth-inning shot made it 4-3. Houston then loaded the bases with two outs in the fifth, but Anthony Kay retired Altuve on a fly out to end the threat. Meidroth’s homer off Bryan Abreu in the sixth pushed Chicago ahead 7-3.
The result sends Chicago to a playoff series for the first time since it beat Houston in the 2005 World Series, according to the Associated Press report carried by CBS Sports. The White Sox had lost 100 games in each of the previous three seasons. Houston’s season ends after an 81-81 regular-season record and a second straight home Wild Card sweep.
Chicago Reaches the Division Series
The sweep gives the White Sox a chance to continue a postseason run after three consecutive 100-loss seasons. The AP described Chicago as the only major-league team to follow consecutive 100-loss seasons with a playoff berth. The club now faces AL Central champion Cleveland in a best-of-five Division Series, beginning Saturday in Cleveland.
For Houston, the loss ends a season in which the AL West champions reached the postseason without a winning record. It also extends the Astros’ run of home playoff defeats to nine straight games, according to the report. Their elimination leaves questions about the club’s leadership: manager Joe Espada’s contract is set to expire at season’s end, and general manager Dana Brown was fired last month.
The series also included a notable individual milestone. Altuve’s home run was the 28th of his postseason career, leaving him one behind Manny Ramirez’s MLB record of 29, according to the AP report. That production did not prevent Houston’s elimination; Yordan Alvarez, described in the report as an AL MVP favorite, recorded one single and struck out twice in eight at-bats in the series.
A Short Series, Decided Early
Chicago won both games of the Wild Card Series in Houston. In the series opener, the White Sox scored three runs in the first two innings on the way to a 6-3 victory. They repeated the early pressure in Game 2, taking a four-run first-inning lead while Brown struggled and the Astros made two errors.
Houston’s bullpen kept the game close after Brown departed. AJ Blubaugh and Peter Lambert combined to retire 13 consecutive batters before Lambert walked Andrew Benintendi and Tristan Peters to open the sixth. Abreu entered, and Meidroth drove his fifth pitch off the left-field wall for the decisive three-run homer.
The Astros had also been swept at home in the Wild Card round in 2024, when Detroit won both games. This season, Houston reached the playoffs after finishing 81-81, while Chicago’s late-season turnaround followed three years with at least 100 losses.
Houston’s Offseason Decisions Await
The series result is settled, but Houston’s next steps are not. The AP report said Espada’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season; it did not report whether he will return or whether the club has begun discussions about his future. The report also noted Brown’s firing last month but did not detail who will lead the front office next.
Chicago’s immediate opponent and series start are known, but further game times and other scheduling details are not included in the source report. The source also does not provide a complete box score or explain the status of players beyond the events described in the game account.
White Sox Open in Cleveland
The White Sox are scheduled to begin the AL Division Series against Cleveland on Saturday in Cleveland. The matchup puts the AL Central champions between Chicago and a place in the American League Championship Series. The source report does not include the full schedule, probable starters or broadcast information.
Houston’s season is over, and attention turns to its offseason leadership and roster decisions. The status of Espada’s job remains unreported, as do any further changes following Brown’s dismissal.
Key Questions
What was the final score of White Sox vs. Astros?
Chicago beat Houston 7-3 on Sept. 30, 2026.
Did the White Sox win the Wild Card Series?
Yes. Chicago swept the series in two games in Houston.
Who will Chicago play next?
The White Sox are set to face Cleveland in the AL Division Series, beginning Saturday in Cleveland.
What decided Game 2?
After Houston narrowed Chicago’s lead to 4-3, Chase Meidroth hit a three-run homer in the sixth to make it 7-3.
What is known about Houston manager Joe Espada’s future?
The AP report says Espada’s contract is set to expire at season’s end. It does not say whether he will return.
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