The Astros, who roared back from an early-season deficit to win their eighth American League West title in 10 seasons Sunday, return to the playoffs following a one-year absence to face the upstart White Sox, who led the AL Central for much of the season before settling for the final Wild Spot in the AL.
While this series might not attract the attention of the AL’s other Wild Card Series -- the Yankees and Red Sox -- Astros-White Sox is an intriguing battle featuring a playoff-tested Houston team that has star power in AL Most Valuable Player favorite Yordan Alvarez, former World Series MVP Jeremy Peña and Jose Altuve, one of this generation’s greatest postseason performers, against a Chicago team with some up-and-coming stars.
“I feel like we did the hardest part, which was to get in,” Alvarez said.
The White Sox are led by Miguel Vargas and Munetaka Murakami, one of the best power-hitting duos in baseball. Murakami slammed 35 home runs as a rookie, and Vargas had 33 homers and should receive some downballot MVP votes.
"It feels good,” White Sox designated hitter Andrew Benintendi said. “I think that kind of hit a certain point of the year where you slot yourself in there. Now it’s officially over. The real season starts now."
Who are the starting pitchers?
White Sox: With a chance to win the American League Central, the White Sox used Sean Burke (11-7, 3.34), Davis Martin (9-8, 3.95) and Anthony Kay (10-9, 4.44) against the last-place Rockies this weekend. Burke would be lined up for Game 2, and with Martin not getting out of the first inning Saturday, he could even be available Tuesday. Manager Will Venable didn’t make any pitching announcements Sunday, although the best guess is an opener with Erick Fedde to follow Tuesday and Burke and Martin, if necessary.
Astros: When asked postgame Sunday about his pitching plans, manager Joe Espada said he hadn’t even begun to think about that. The Astros exhausted every starting pitching option in winning three of four games from the A’s to end the season, meaning they might need to employ a bullpen game for Tuesday’s Game 1. One possibility would be bringing back ace Hunter Brown on three days of rest, but that seems unlikely.
What might the starting lineups look like?
White Sox: Don’t read too much into this lineup, as there’s nobody set for the Astros as Tuesday’s starter, so it could change depending on who pitches. Randal Grichuk would probably face a southpaw, as an example of a potential change.
1. Sam Antonacci, LF
2. Kyle Teel, C
3. Munetaka Murakami, 1B
4. Miguel Vargas, 3B
5. Andrew Benintendi, DH
6. Chase Meidroth, 2B
7. Colson Montgomery, SS
8. Tristan Peters, CF
9. Braden Montgomery, RF
Astros: The first six hitters in the Astros batting order will be set, with the three outfield spots likely batting seventh, eighth and ninth. Rookie Lucas Spence, who hit four homers in the season’s final series, has probably earned the start in center, and Cam Smith will be in right field, though at which spot in the order remains to be seen. The starting left fielder may be determined by which pitcher the White Sox start.
1. Jeremy Peña, SS
2. Yordan Alvarez, DH
3. Isaac Paredes, 3B
4. Jose Altuve, 2B
5. Yainer Diaz, C
6. Christian Walker, 1B
7. Lucas Spence, CF
8. Cam Smith, RF
9. Taylor Trammell, LF
How will the bullpens line up after the starter?
White Sox: Venable is not set on one lockdown closer, although Grant Taylor is coming off a dominant campaign with a 2.25 ERA and 106 strikeouts in 84 innings. So, Taylor could be used for two innings in the sixth and seventh, or try to finish off a victory in the ninth. The same holds true for relievers such as Sean Newcomb, Bryan Hudson and the rookie additions of Hagen Smith and Noah Schultz. During Smith’s 18 games and 28 innings, he has induced some ugly-looking swings from the opposition.
Astros: A seven-inning outing by starter Hayden Wesneski on Saturday and Sunday’s blowout win in the regular-season finale have Houston’s bullpen in really good shape heading into the postseason, especially with the Astros contemplating a bullpen game for Tuesday. They could get multiple innings out of the bullpen from Josh Hendrickson, Miguel Ullola and AJ Blubaugh in an effort to get the ball to setup man Bryan Abreu and closer Josh Hader, who finished the season with a 1.01 ERA and 26-for-26 in save chances. He hasn’t pitched since Wednesday.
Any injuries of note?
White Sox: Chase Meidroth has been dealing with left hamstring discomfort, among myriad nagging injuries. He sat out most of the weekend against the Rockies after leaving early from Thursday’s playoff-clincher in Kansas City, but should be available Tuesday.
Astros: Isaac Paredes fouled a ball off his knee Saturday in West Sacramento and was in the lineup for Sunday’s season finale, but the Astros were so concerned about the knee that they called up infielder Raynel Delgado to give them some coverage at third base. Center fielders Daulton Varsho (wrist) and Brice Matthews (knee) both landed on the IL last week, so neither will be available for the Wild Card Series.
Who is hot and who is not?
White Sox: Colson Montgomery was a deserving All-Star candidate who was passed over, but has found rough going since the break. In fact, Montgomery finished the season with a .197 average and set the single-season Major League record with 227 strikeouts. He spoke eloquently pregame Sunday about being focused on doing anything to help the team and looking for a reset starting with the playoffs.
Miguel Vargas’ season has been a revelation overall, with 33 homers, 31 doubles, 22 stolen bases, 101 walks, 93 RBIs and 106 runs scored. Munetaka Murakami also seems back on track, with his 35 homers tying Ron Kittle for the second-highest single-season home run total for a White Sox rookie trailing only Jose Abreu (36 in 2014).
Astros: Yordan Alvarez won the AL batting title and will likely add his first AL Most Valuable Player to his resume following a season in which he slashed .316/.432/.601 with 105 runs, 34 doubles, 42 homers, 106 RBIs and 109 walks. Jeremy Peña slashed .353/.358/.706 with five homers and nine RBIs in the Astros’ final 12 games.
Christian Walker had a 1.167 OPS with four homers in the last eight games, Yainer Diaz slashed .350/.377/.581 with six homers and 17 RBIs in 34 games since Aug. 16 and rookie Lucas Spence was 6-for-15 with four homers, a triple and nine RBIs in the final four games of the season.
Taylor Trammell finished the season 0-for-20.
Anything else fans might want to know?
• The Astros have lost seven consecutive home playoff games, dating to 2023.
• This is the third time the Astros and White Sox have met in the playoffs. The White Sox swept Houston in the 2005 World Series, and the Astros eliminated the White Sox in four games in the 2021 ALDS.