White Sox Beat Guardians 4-3, Take 2-0 ALDS Lead and Near ALCS/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Braden Montgomery’s two-run double and Sean Burke’s dominant relief outing lifted the White Sox past the Guardians 4-3 on Monday. Chicago leads the best-of-five AL Division Series 2-0 and returns home one victory from its first ALCS appearance since 2005. The White Sox remain unbeaten this postseason after reaching the playoffs following three consecutive 100-loss seasons.
Quick Look
- Final score: Chicago defeated Cleveland 4-3 to take a 2-0 series lead.
- Decisive hit: Braden Montgomery delivered a go-ahead two-run double during a three-run sixth inning.
- Winning pitcher: Sean Burke allowed one hit and struck out six over 5 1/3 innings of relief.
- Closing effort: Grant Taylor earned his second consecutive save.
- Cleveland standout: Gavin Williams struck out 11 but received limited offensive support.
- Historic opportunity: Chicago can clinch a postseason series at home for the first time since 1906.
- Next game: Game 3 is Wednesday afternoon at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Deep Look
White Sox Return Home One Victory From ALCS
CLEVELAND — The Chicago White Sox moved within one win of the American League Championship Series by rallying past the Cleveland Guardians 4-3 on Monday.
Braden Montgomery supplied the go-ahead hit with a two-run double in the sixth inning, while Sean Burke held Cleveland to one hit across 5 1/3 innings of relief.
The victory gave Chicago a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five AL Division Series.
Game 3 is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon at Guaranteed Rate Field. The White Sox will have two opportunities there to clinch a postseason series at home, something the franchise has not accomplished since 1906.
“They’ve been waiting 120 years, so maybe we can do it this year,” said Grant Taylor. “I think it’s going to be unbelievable. Those fans deserve it. They’ve been with us for three years of 100 losses and they’ve been with us a good bit this year giving us a lot of support as we’ve gone through this. So being able to give them a postseason game is going to be pretty special.”
Taylor pitched 1 1/3 innings, allowed one hit and secured his second straight save.
The White Sox improved to 4-0 in the playoffs, with every victory coming on the road.
They are seeking their first ALCS appearance since 2005, when they went on to win the World Series.
Chicago became the first team to reach the postseason after three consecutive seasons with at least 100 losses. That stretch included a post-1900 record 121 defeats in 2024.
“Our club has been confident the entire year, regardless of the previous result,” manager Will Venable said. “They come in ready to play and turn the page. Now, we’re really excited to get playoff baseball to our fans.”
Guardians Take Early Lead With Two First-Inning Runs
After being shut out in Saturday’s series opener, Cleveland scored twice in the first inning Monday.
Steven Kwan opened with a single, and José Ramírez walked. Chase DeLauter’s groundout against opener Anthony Kay advanced both runners.
Sean Newcomb replaced Kay and intentionally walked Jo Adell to load the bases.
Nathaniel Lowe then hit a high chopper that brought home Kwan. Newcomb’s errant throw to first allowed Ramírez to score as well, giving Cleveland a 2-0 advantage.
It was the first time Chicago had trailed in its four postseason games.
Kay faced three batters and threw 17 pitches, eight for strikes.
Williams Dominates Early Before Chicago Breaks Through
Cleveland starter Gavin Williams did not surrender a hit until Kyle Teel singled to begin the fourth inning.
Williams recorded eight strikeouts in the first three innings and became the first Cleveland pitcher to strike out five consecutive batters in a postseason game.
He finished with 11 strikeouts, tied for the second-most by a Cleveland pitcher in a playoff appearance, while allowing two runs and four hits over five-plus innings.
Munetaka Murakami's RBI single in the fourth cut the Guardians’ lead to 2-1.
Montgomery’s Double Sparks Three-Run Sixth
Chicago took control with three runs in the sixth inning.
Miguel Vargas led off with a single, ending Williams’ outing, and advanced to second on a groundout. Randal Grichuk walked before Erik Sabrowski threw a wild pitch with Tommy Pham batting, moving the runners to second and third.
After Pham flied out to shallow left, Montgomery attacked a first-pitch fastball and lined a double down the right-field line to drive in both runners.
He celebrated at second before scoring on Chase Meidroth's single to right, extending Chicago’s lead to 4-2. Sabrowski took the loss.
“I was just ready for something to attack, and I was ready for his hardest stuff. I gave myself my best chance to succeed,” Montgomery said. “I can’t even describe how it felt. It’s exhilarating. I was just taking it all in.”
Burke Shuts Down Cleveland Through Middle Innings
Burke entered with one out in the third inning and provided the pitching stability Chicago needed.
After walking Travis Bazzana with one out in the fourth, he retired 13 consecutive batters.
DeLauter ended that streak with a single in the eighth, completing a two-hit game and bringing Burke’s outing to a close.
Burke earned the win after striking out six and throwing 83 pitches, including 53 strikes.
“I was able to settle in and find my groove,” Burke said. “I’ve had openers before, but not in this situation, so I talked with a lot of guys. It’s just normal baseball when you get into that game.”
Taylor Preserves Lead as Guardians Face Elimination
Taylor entered in the eighth and allowed Adell’s RBI triple, bringing Cleveland within 4-3.
He then retired Lowe on a flyout to end the inning and ultimately secured the save.
Cleveland’s offense struggled for a second consecutive game despite Williams’ strong start.
“We have had two-game stretches like this all year and we come right back. I’ve got a lot of faith in this offense. I have a lot of faith in this team,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said. “We’ve got our work cut out for us. Like I said, this team plays its best with its back against the wall.”
The Guardians must win Game 3 to extend the series, while Chicago can complete a sweep and advance to the ALCS.
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