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The Chicago White Sox beat the Houston Astros 7-3 on Wednesday, Sept. 30, completing a sweep of their AL Wild Card Series. Chase Meidroth’s three-run homer helped secure Chicago’s first playoff-series win since 2005; the White Sox are set to face Cleveland in the AL Division Series starting Saturday.
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 the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Division Series. A four-run first inning put Chicago ahead, and Chase Meidroth’s three-run homer in the sixth restored a four-run lead after Houston had closed the gap.
Chicago struck for four runs in the first inning, taking advantage of two Houston errors and ending Astros starter Hunter Brown’s outing after he recorded only two outs. The White Sox added to their early advantage after scoring three runs in the opening innings of their 6-3 win in Game 1, according to the Associated Press account of the series.
The Astros cut the deficit to one with solo home runs by Jeremy Peña, Cam Smith and Jose Altuve. Houston loaded the bases with two outs in the fifth, but Anthony Kay retired Altuve on a fly ball to end the threat. In the sixth, reliever Bryan Abreu entered after two walks; Meidroth drove his fifth pitch off the left-field wall, scoring three and making it 7-3.
The sweep sends Chicago to its first playoff series victory since the 2005 World Series, when it beat Houston. The White Sox, who had lost 100 games in each of the previous three seasons, are scheduled to open the Division Series against AL Central champion Cleveland in Cleveland on Saturday. The supplied report does not give a game time or broadcast details.
Chicago Reaches the AL Division Series
The result marks a sharp change in the White Sox’s recent fortunes: after three straight seasons with 100 losses, they have won a postseason series and moved within reach of the AL championship round. Their next opponent, Cleveland, won the AL Central, setting up a Division Series between Chicago and the division champion.
For Houston, elimination ends a season in which the Astros won the AL West but finished 81-81. The Associated Press reported that this made them the first team to reach the postseason without a winning record. The loss also extends the Astros’ reported home postseason losing streak to nine games and marks their second consecutive home Wild Card Series sweep, following a 2024 series loss to Detroit.
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The Road From 100 Losses to October
The White Sox’s postseason breakthrough came after a prolonged stretch of poor results. The AP report says Chicago lost 100 games in each of the last three seasons before reaching the playoffs. It also describes the team as the only one in major league history to follow consecutive 100-loss seasons with a playoff berth; that historical distinction is attributed to the report.
Houston entered the series as the AL West champion, but its regular-season record was even at 81-81. The Astros’ playoff defeat follows a 2024 Wild Card Series in which Detroit swept them at home. This series also ended a difficult postseason for Houston slugger Yordan Alvarez: according to the AP account, he had one single and struck out twice in eight at-bats across the two games.
““I was looking for something middle up. He’s had my number all year, really good fastball, so I got something middle up and I was able to cash in for the team.””
— Chase Meidroth, as quoted by the Associated Press
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Houston’s Offseason Decisions Ahead
Houston’s next steps are not settled in the supplied report. It says Espada’s contract is set to expire at season’s end and that general manager Dana Brown was fired last month, but it does not report a decision on Espada’s future or name a successor to Brown. The account also does not provide additional details about the Astros’ plans for the offseason.
For Chicago, the confirmed next opponent is Cleveland, with the Division Series scheduled to start Saturday. The report does not specify the complete series schedule, probable starting pitchers or roster changes, so those details remain unconfirmed here.
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White Sox Open Against Cleveland
The White Sox are scheduled to begin the AL Division Series in Cleveland on Saturday against the Guardians, the AL Central champions. That matchup is Chicago’s next test after its two-game sweep of Houston. The available report does not state the opening game’s start time, television coverage or starting pitchers.
Houston’s season is over following the loss. Attention now turns to the club’s offseason, including the unresolved question of whether Espada will remain manager after his contract expires. No decision or timetable for that choice was included in the supplied report.
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Key Questions
What was the final score of White Sox vs. Astros?
The White Sox won 7-3 in Game 2 on Sept. 30, completing a sweep of the AL Wild Card Series.
Who hit the decisive home run?
Chase Meidroth hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning, extending Chicago’s lead to 7-3.
Who will Chicago play next?
Chicago is scheduled to face the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Division Series, which is set to begin Saturday in Cleveland.
What was Houston’s regular-season record?
The Astros finished 81-81 and won the AL West, according to the Associated Press report.
Is Joe Espada returning as Astros manager?
The supplied report does not say. It states that Espada’s contract is set to expire at season’s end, but gives no decision about his future.
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