Chicago White Sox vs. Houston Astros • Sep 29, 2026

In a thrilling playoff opener, the Chicago White Sox defeated the Houston Astros 6-3, taking a 1-0 lead in the AL Wild Card Series. Hagen Smith was effective on the mound for the White Sox, pitching three scoreless innings while Jordan Hicks secured the victory with a dominant 1.1 innings of relief, allowing no hits and striking out one. Colson Montgomery's fourth-inning homer and a key throwing error in the eighth inning highlighted the White Sox's offensive prowess, while the Astros fought back with a late home run from Nelson Velázquez but ultimately fell short.