CLEVELAND -- For the Guardians, it’s virtually a must-win game. For the White Sox, it’s an opportunity to reach the precipice of a berth in the AL Championship Series.
The stakes are high in Game 2 of the AL Division Series between Cleveland and Chicago, set for Monday at Progressive Field, after the White Sox shut out the Guardians, 3-0, in Game 1 of the best-of-five on Saturday.
Chicago isn’t thinking that far ahead already, of course.
“We are mostly just thinking next game,” White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery said. “Day by day and enjoy this one right now. Not really celebrate anything. Look over what we did really good today and go into the next day.”
No one is looking forward to the next day more than the Guardians, whose offense didn’t show up in Game 1. Cleveland mustered just three hits and five walks, and did not capitalize on a pair of bases-loaded opportunities (albeit both with two outs) across the third and fourth innings.
The Guardians will hand the ball to big right-hander Gavin Williams, who was the 1A to Game 1 starter Parker Messick this season. The White Sox are expected to counter with Sean Burke, their top starter in 2026, in some fashion, perhaps as a bulk reliever after an opener.
“The postseason is a pitching duel for sure,” Guardians outfielder Jo Adell said of the Game 1 loss. “It's one of those things where we’ve gotta bounce back, take the day and come back and do our thing.”
When is the game and how can I tune in?
First pitch for Game 2 of the White Sox-Guardians ALDS is set for 5 p.m. ET on Monday at Progressive Field. The game will be broadcast on TBS, truTV and HBO Max.
The ALDS will be available in Spanish on UniMas, while Univision’s TUDN Radio will provide Spanish-language audio coverage. ESPN Radio will provide live national coverage of all 2026 MLB Postseason games.
Who are the starting pitchers?
White Sox: TBD
Key stats: Burke, who figures to play a significant pitching role, struck out 185 over 172 1/3 innings this season.
Manager Will Venable wouldn’t go as far as to name Burke his starter for Monday. After all, the modified opener has been working for the White Sox so why change things? But Burke is the ace hurler on this staff and whether he starts or picks up in the second or third inning, he’ll be doing bulk work. Burke is 2-0 with a minuscule 1.04 ERA over three appearances (two starts) against the Guardians this season, striking out 21 and walking three over 17 1/3 innings. He has a lifetime 2.57 ERA at Progressive Field.
Guardians: RHP Gavin Williams
Key stats: Second in MLB in strikeouts (248), most starts with double-digit strikeouts (11)
Having Williams lined up is a point of comfort to a team that could really use a win in Game 2. Williams was dominant in a career year this season, when it felt like he was primed to pitch deep into a game and overpower opponents.
Williams tossed seven-plus innings in 10 of his 32 starts, ranking behind Brewers right-hander Jacob Misiorowski (252) in strikeouts. He also logged a career high in innings pitched (184 1/3) and starts (32) this season, while recording a 3.76 ERA.
Of the 77 earned runs Williams allowed this season, 50.6 percent came via the home run, sixth highest among 65 pitchers who threw 150-plus innings. Given Chicago ranked fifth in long balls in the regular season, that’s a potential point of contention to watch.
Williams’ most recent start was Sept. 25 against the Royals, when he allowed four runs on five hits and four walks over just 3 1/3 innings. However, he pitched in a simulated game on Wednesday, throwing 70 pitches, to combat potential rust. The Guardians will need him at his best Monday.
What do the starting lineups look like?
White Sox: With Williams on the mound, it’s back to the left-handed-hitting White Sox lineup. So Sam Antonacci returns to his spot atop the order, with Andrew Benintendi and Tristan Peters joining him in the starting nine.
1. Sam Antonacci, LF
2. Kyle Teel, C
3. Miguel Vargas, 3B
4. Munetaka Murakami, 1B
5. Andrew Benintendi, DH
6. Chase Meidroth, 2B
7. Tristan Peters, CF
8. Braden Montgomery, RF
9. Colson Montgomery, SS
Guardians: The Guardians’ lineup will look similar to Game 1. But with Burke expected to pitch bulk innings in some capacity, Nathaniel Lowe figures to draw the start at first base. He pinch-hit for David Fry in the fourth inning of Game 1. Patrick Bailey also will be behind the plate, rather than Austin Hedges. Bailey was Williams' battery mate often in the regular season.
1. Steven Kwan, CF
2. José Ramírez, 3B
3. Chase DeLauter, RF
4. Jo Adell, DH
5. Travis Bazzana, 2B
6. Nathaniel Lowe, 1B
7. Angel Martínez, LF
8. Patrick Bailey, C
9. Brayan Rocchio, SS
How will the bullpens line up after the starter?
White Sox: Taylor picked up the old-school four-inning save on Saturday, meaning the right-hander probably won’t be available Monday. Hagen Smith started and allowed no runs over 2 2/3 innings, striking out four, but he left in the third after walking the bases loaded. So, neither of them should be available on Monday, right?
Not so fast. Taylor threw just 42 pitches (34 strikes), and while Smith threw 51, they both have Sunday’s off-day to recover. Anthony Kay has seamlessly transferred from the rotation to the bullpen, getting big outs in Houston and Saturday in Cleveland.
“It’s been fun,” Kay said. “It gets the adrenaline going a little bit extra and for them to trust me in this spot is huge for me, and [I’m] going to keep going out there and executing pitches.”
Guardians: The off-day Sunday allowed manager Stephen Vogt to get aggressive with his bullpen in Game 1, when Daniel Espino, Erik Sabrowski, Hunter Gaddis, Tim Herrin and closer Cade Smith all followed Messick in relief. Each of them should still be available on Monday, and the blueprint could look much the same. The goal is to get Smith the ball with a chance to secure a win. However, keep an eye on Williams’ performance. The Guardians have not named a Game 3 starting pitcher, in case Tanner Bibee, Foster Griffin and Joey Cantillo are needed before then.
Any injuries of note?
White Sox: None.
Guardians: None.
Who is hot and who is not?
White Sox: Murakami launched a 440-foot home run to supply most of the offense in Saturday’s victory -- and as has been viewed through his five straight games with a long ball (in April), one homer can lead to many. Taylor, meanwhile, is doing things on the mound not really seen before in White Sox playoff history.
Guardians: Smith has not allowed a run in five innings over his past five postseason appearances. Steven Kwan is 2-for-15 in four postseason games since 2025.
Anything else fans might want to know?
- Saturday marked the sixth postseason shutout in White Sox franchise history and the first since a 1-0 win that clinched the 2005 World Series.
- Messick became the first rookie to start a postseason game for Cleveland since Ryan Merritt in Game 5 of the 2016 ALCS.