The Houston Astros begin their 2026 postseason at home Tuesday when they host the Chicago White Sox in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card series. Houston finished 81-81 but captured the AL West, while Chicago earned the No. 6 seed after going 84-78. The best-of-three series sends the winner to the AL Division Series against the Cleveland Guardians.
The matchup is also a rematch of the 2021 AL Division Series, when Houston eliminated Chicago in four games. The White Sox are back in the postseason for the first time since that series, just two years after setting the modern MLB record with 121 losses.
Houston won five of seven meetings against Chicago during the regular season, including three of four at home. The Astros will use a bullpen game Tuesday after waiting until the final day of the regular season to clinch the division, while Chicago will send left-hander Hagen Smith to the mound.
How to Watch Astros vs White Sox for Free
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- Time: 5 p.m. ET
- Venue: Daikin Park, Houston
- TV: NBCSN
- Live stream: Peacock
- Free live stream option: Fubo free trial
- Starting pitcher: Hagen Smith (White Sox)
- Astros pitching: Bullpen game
- Broadcast team: Tom McCarthy, Steve Stone, Geoff Blum, Adam Ottavino and Britney Eurton
Astros vs White Sox Game Preview
Smith enters Game 1 after going 3-3 with a 1.29 ERA and 41 strikeouts during the regular season. Houston has not named a conventional starter because it plans to use multiple relievers, with A.J. Blubaugh among the pitchers available after working primarily out of the bullpen this season.
The Astros’ offense will look to Yordan Alvarez and Isaac Paredes to provide the production against Chicago’s pitching. The White Sox also have a major power threat in first baseman Munetaka Murakami, who led the team with 35 home runs during his first season in Chicago.
The winner of the best-of-three series advances to face Cleveland in the ALDS. Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday at 5 p.m. ET, with a potential Game 3 set for Thursday.
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