White Sox-Brewers 2026 Opening Day FAQ (Thurs., 2:10 p.m. ET)

MILWAUKEE -- It’s a matchup of former Minor League teammates and former American League foes when Jacob Misiorowski and the Brewers host Shane Smith and the White Sox on Opening Day at American Family Field.

Smith signed with the Brewers as an undrafted free agent in 2021, when he was coming out of Wake Forest and coming off Tommy John surgery. Misiorowski was Milwaukee’s second-round pick the following year, and the two crossed paths at Single-A Carolina and High-A Wisconsin in ‘23, and Double-A Biloxi and Triple-A Nashville in ‘24 before the Brewers left Smith unprotected that winter and the White Sox plucked him away in that year’s Rule 5 Draft.

On one occasion, the two even pitched in the same game. It was July 15, 2023, for High-A Wisconsin at Peoria, when Misiorowski started and allowed one earned run in four innings, and Smith pitched two scoreless innings for a hold in a 6-3 win.

“He was an awesome teammate,” Misiorowski said. “What I remember more is being in Double-A, where everyone is grinding to get out of there. But he was positive in the clubhouse and really a great guy.”

Speaking of history, the Brewers and White Sox have plenty. Bud Selig had an agreement to buy the White Sox in 1969 and move them to Milwaukee, only to see the deal fall apart. Once he did get a franchise in 1970, the Brewers and White Sox began a sometimes heated rivalry that included four Opening Day matchups, two apiece at County Stadium and Comiskey Park. The teams last opened a season as foes in 1995, a 12-3 Brewers victory kickstarted by John Jaha’s first-inning grand slam.

When is the game and how can I watch it?

White Sox: The game will be televised on Chicago Sports Network (CHSN) and streamed on the CHSN app. John Schriffen and Steve Stone return for a third season together in the television booth. Len Kasper and Darrin Jackson have all the radio action on ESPN Chicago (AM-1000/FM-100.3 HD2).

Brewers: It’s Opening Day for the Brewers and for Brewers.TV, with MLB taking over production and distribution of the team’s games. Fans can purchase a streaming package or continue to watch via cable or satellite distributors, with specific channel information expected to be announced on Opening Day. This game is also among the 10 being broadcast over-the-air on stations across Wisconsin, including on WITI-TV (FOX6) in the Milwaukee market. Jeff Levering and Bill Schroeder have the call, with Sophia Minnaert on the sidelines.

All out-of-market games are available live or on demand in the US on MLB.TV (subject to blackouts and other restrictions). Live games are also available in select countries outside the US. A full list of available games can be found here.

Who are the starting pitchers?

White Sox: Smith (7-8, 3.81 ERA in 2025) struggled with command throughout Spring Training, walking nine batters and hitting five over 10 2/3 innings. But those numbers simply represent preparation for the big show, and Smith is ready to set the tone on Opening Day.

The right-hander started as an undrafted free agent signee by the Brewers following an injury-plagued collegiate stint with Wake Forest. He moved to the White Sox as the top pick in the 2024 Rule 5 Draft, became a 2025 All-Star and now is taking the mound against his former team in Milwaukee. More >>

Brewers: Brewers manager Pat Murphy has referred to Misiorowski (6-5, 4.05 ERA in 2025) as “our Forrest Gump,” and it was an apt nickname. Misiorowski did it all last season, going from prospect to rookie phenom to the earliest MLB All-Star in history, then falling so hard he lost his spot in Milwaukee’s starting rotation, only to re-emerge as a bullpen ace in the postseason. The Brewers would love a steadier season in 2026 as Misiorowski headlines a particularly young group of starting pitchers beyond veteran Brandon Woodruff. More >>

• White Sox-Brewers Opening Day starters: Smith vs. Misiorowski

What might the starting lineups look like?

White Sox: Manager Will Venable used numerous lineup iterations during the past month in Arizona, including the veteran Andrew Benintendi at the top. He could be there Thursday against the right-handed-throwing Misiorowski, although Chase Meidroth and Luisangel Acuña are more likely regular candidates as the leadoff hitters. Munetaka Murakami, in his first Major League season coming from Japan, will be a middle-of-the-order presence.

1. Andrew Benintendi (L), LF
2. Chase Meidroth, 2B
3. Colson Montgomery (L), SS
4. Munetaka Murakami (L), 1B
5. Miguel Vargas, 3B
6. Austin Hays, RF
7. Lenyn Sosa, DH
8. Edgar Quero (S), C
9. Luisangel Acuña, CF

Brewers: Having so many stars participating in the World Baseball Classic meant we never saw the full lineup in Spring Training. Besides the batting order, with the right-hander Smith on the mound for Chicago, Murphy’s biggest decisions will be whether to start Andrew Vaughn or left-handed-hitting Jake Bauers at first base, and Luis Rengifo or left-handed-hitting David Hamilton at third. Nor has Murphy made any proclamations about his plans for center field after Garrett Mitchell went 2-for-32 with 19 strikeouts in the Cactus League. Brandon Lockridge would be the alternative.

1. Jackson Chourio, LF
2. Brice Turang (L), 2B
3. William Contreras, C
4. Christian Yelich (L), DH
5. Luis Rengifo, 3B
6. Sal Frelick (L), RF
7. Jake Bauers (L), 1B
8. Garrett Mitchell (L) or Brandon Lockridge, CF
9. Joey Ortiz, SS

How will the bullpens line up after the starter?

White Sox: Seranthony Domínguez gives the White Sox a set closer they didn’t have and probably didn’t really need during their past three seasons of this rebuild. But he’s not alone in high-leverage situations. Sean Newcomb (who was stretched out as a starter during Spring Training), Grant Taylor, Jordan Leasure and Jordan Hicks give the South Siders a solid late-inning quintet.

Brewers: With so many unknowns in the young rotation, the Brewers will rely heavily on their bullpen. It’s a good thing they have an array of premium options. Murphy hinted that primary closer duties would go back to Trevor Megill, who was an All-Star last season before a flexor strain down the stretch meant the job went to rising star Abner Uribe. When Megill isn’t available or the matchups aren’t right, the ninth could go to Uribe, left-handed newcomer Angel Zerpa or lefty Jared Koenig. Yet another lefty, Aaron Ashby, has been built-up this spring to pitch multiple innings and is one of the group’s most durable arms in terms of pitching multiple days in a row.

Any injuries of note?

White Sox: Catcher Kyle Teel’s impressive run with Team Italy during the World Baseball Classic ended while running out a double during a victory over Team USA and suffering a Grade 2 right hamstring strain. He will be out from 4 to 6 weeks, although he’s seeing great progress in his recovery. Right-hander Mike Vasil, who can do anything from starting to closing, will miss the season as he is set to undergo Tommy John surgery in early April, and switch-hitting outfielder Brooks Baldwin also will start on the IL due to right elbow soreness.

Brewers: The Brewers won 19 consecutive Quinn Priester appearances during one stretch of last season, so they will miss the righty starter while he recovers from symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome. They’ll hope to have him back by late April or early May.

Who is hot and who is not?

White Sox: It’s a tough question to answer, considering Spring Training is more about the work than the results, but Smith’s erratic Cactus League control needs to improve when he returns to the Midwest. It starts with fastball location for the staff ace. … Acuña has looked great at the plate and seems to be a natural fit in center field, despite his lack of experience there, while also having the ability to play the infield. … Left-hander Anthony Kay, who is ready to run with his starting opportunity in a return from Japan, struck out 15 batters over 16 1/3 innings. … The White Sox 43 stolen bases as a team ranked second in the Cactus League and fourth overall in baseball, highlighting an aggressive team for 2026.

Brewers: Mitchell’s swing and miss (19 strikeouts in 32 Cactus League at-bats) was a matter of concern as the Brewers broke camp, but it’s not surprising that a player would need time and at-bats after missing most of the previous season with an injury. In Mitchell’s case, it was shoulder surgery. … Brewers first basemen raked throughout the spring. Between Bauers and Vaughn, exactly half of their 32 hits went for extra bases, including six homers for Bauers and two for Vaughn. … Hamilton, Murphy’s pick to make a “quantum leap” in 2026, led the Brewers with 47 Cactus League at-bats and posted an .833 OPS, with three doubles, a triple and a homer among his 14 hits, plus a team-high five stolen bases.

Anything else fans might want to know?

White Sox: Meidroth’s start at second marks the 14th straight Opening Day in which the White Sox will have a new second baseman. Gordon Beckham, who was in White Sox uniform for one week in March and helping out during Spring Training, had the last consecutive Opening Day starts at second from 2010-13. As for the starter at second in ‘09? It was current general manager Chris Getz.

Brewers: They are scheduled to play 12 games against AL opponents before seeing a National League foe for the first time. After the White Sox, the Rays come to Milwaukee. Then the Brewers hit the road to Kansas City and Boston.