Astros host the White Sox in Game 1 of AL Wild Card Series
Chicago White Sox (84-78, second in the AL Central during the regular season) vs. Houston Astros (81-81, first in the AL West during the regular season)
Houston; Tuesday, 5 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: White Sox: Hagen Smith (3-3, 1.29 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 41 strikeouts); Astros: A.J. Blubaugh (5-3, 3.66 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 94 strikeouts)
LINE: Astros -126, White Sox +106; over/under is 8 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The Houston Astros host the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series.
Houston has a 39-42 record in home games and an 81-81 record overall. The Astros have the fourth-best team slugging percentage in the majors at .418.
Chicago has a 36-45 record in road games and an 84-78 record overall. White Sox pitchers have a collective 4.13 ERA, which ranks eighth in the AL.
The teams meet Tuesday for the eighth time this season. The Astros are up 5-2 in the season series.
TOP PERFORMERS: Yordan Alvarez leads the Astros with 42 home runs while slugging .601. Jeremy Pena is 15 for 47 with a double, a triple, three home runs and seven RBIs over the past 10 games.
Miguel Vargas has 33 home runs, 101 walks and 93 RBIs while hitting .250 for the White Sox. Chase Meidroth is 15 for 37 with four doubles, two home runs and eight RBIs over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Astros: 5-5, .277 batting average, 3.33 ERA, outscored opponents by 22 runs
White Sox: 7-3, .256 batting average, 4.15 ERA, outscored opponents by 22 runs
INJURIES: Astros: Steven Okert: 15-Day IL (hamstring), Daulton Varsho: 10-Day IL (wrist), Jake Meyers: 60-Day IL (kneecap), Brice Matthews: 10-Day IL (knee), Cristian Javier: 15-Day IL (groin), Enyel De Los Santos: 15-Day IL (knee), Mike Burrows: 60-Day IL (elbow), Carlos Correa: 60-Day IL (ankle), Brandon Walter: 60-Day IL (elbow)
White Sox: Luis Castillo: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Prelander Berroa: 60-Day IL (elbow), Tanner Murray: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Ky Bush: 60-Day IL (elbow), Jordan Leasure: 60-Day IL (flexor), Joey Bart: 10-Day IL (hand), Brooks Baldwin: 60-Day IL (elbow), Mike Vasil: 60-Day IL (elbow)
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
MLB Wild-Card Power Rankings: The 8 Teams Who Kick Off The Playoffs
2026 MLB Wild Card Series Odds: What To Know About Each Matchup
Mad Max's Curtain Call? Scherzer Gets Ovation After Initially Refusing To Leave
2026 NL Wild Card Odds: Padres Open As Narrow Favorites Over Cubs
2026 AL Wild Card Odds: Astros Favored Over Upstart White Sox
Yankees vs. Red Sox: Breaking Down The Wild Card Series Pitching Matchups
2026 NL Wild Card Odds: Braves Slight Favorites Over Phillies
2026 AL Wild Card Odds: Yankees Favored Over Rival Red Sox
Justin Verlander's Legendary Career Ends With Heartwarming Hug From His Daughter
MLB Wild-Card Power Rankings: The 8 Teams Who Kick Off The Playoffs
2026 MLB Wild Card Series Odds: What To Know About Each Matchup
Mad Max's Curtain Call? Scherzer Gets Ovation After Initially Refusing To Leave
2026 NL Wild Card Odds: Padres Open As Narrow Favorites Over Cubs
2026 AL Wild Card Odds: Astros Favored Over Upstart White Sox
Yankees vs. Red Sox: Breaking Down The Wild Card Series Pitching Matchups
2026 NL Wild Card Odds: Braves Slight Favorites Over Phillies
2026 AL Wild Card Odds: Yankees Favored Over Rival Red Sox
Justin Verlander's Legendary Career Ends With Heartwarming Hug From His Daughter
