HOUSTON -- There was a moment with nobody out in the sixth inning Wednesday night during Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series that perfectly encapsulated the White Sox remarkable season and the downright fun they’ve had along the way.
Chase Meidroth connected on a three-run home run off Bryan Abreu, turning a one-run lead into a 7-3 advantage, which was ultimately the final score. But it was Meidroth’s reaction that reinforced the point.
Meidroth pumped his fist and screamed with joy from the moment he connected until he touched home plate, his emotions on full display. Back in the visitors’ clubhouse, the champagne was chilling as the White Sox prepared to take another somewhat unexpected step in the postseason.
“When I’m locked in on the field, I don’t know what goes through my mind,” Meidroth said. “All I’m thinking about is me and the baseball and trying to compete. But I had a good feeling.”
Good feelings have surrounded the White Sox since Spring Training, even dating back to SoxFest in late January. They’ve arguably been baseball’s best story in 2026, and perhaps one of the best in sports.
But this two-game sweep against the undermanned Astros proved they are a talented team to be reckoned with throughout the postseason. They are more than the young, energetic squad that shook off three consecutive 100-plus-loss campaigns to reach the playoffs.
Their second clubhouse celebration in a week -- and one of five they hope to have this postseason -- marked their first playoff series victory since 2005. That last series victory was a four-game sweep over the Astros in the World Series, with Games 3 and 4 played at what is now Daikin Park.
“These players are scared of nothing,” White Sox general manager Chris Getz said. “And whether it be myself or others, it’s like, 'How do we continue to nurture and fuel this group?'”
"We were able to do that with two games that I thought were emblematic of how we've won all season,” manager Will Venable said. “Contributions from everywhere. Sammy [Antonacci] setting the tone, great job down the lineup with everyone behind him. Guys pitching in different spots, going out whenever and getting the job done, and they did it."
For the second straight game, Chicago took control in the first inning with the help of Houston's poor defense. The White Sox scored four runs off Astros ace Hunter Brown, who had a 6-0 record with a 2.39 ERA over six career starts against the White Sox entering Wednesday.
Antonacci doubled on a line drive to left field that Yordan Alvarez seemed to have a play on but didn’t make. Kyle Teel singled home Antonacci, and Miguel Vargas reached on third baseman Nick Allen’s fielding error.
Andrew Benintendi singled home a second run, and when Lucas Spence's throw home got away from catcher Yainer Diaz, Vargas scored the third run. Tristan Peters then added an RBI single to cap the scoring in the opening frame.
Houston crept back with solo home runs from Jeremy Peña, Cam Smith and Jose Altuve off White Sox ace Sean Burke, who struck out eight over four innings. The Astros had a golden opportunity in the fifth inning, putting runners on first and second with one out for Alvarez. Anthony Kay was on the mound for his first true relief appearance this season.
Kay fell behind in the count, 3-0, threw a pitch in the zone that was taken by Alvarez and then got him to fly out to Antonacci in left on the next pitch. Isaac Paredes walked to load the bases, but Altuve flied out to right to end the frame.
Then Meidroth provided breathing room in the sixth, launching his three-run homer to restore Chicago’s four-run lead. Twelve outs stood between the White Sox and playoff history, but they had reasserted control, and Erick Fedde handled the final two innings to finish it off.
“You saw how it was this series,” Kay said. “Everyone didn't worry about themselves, just played as a team and did the best they could.”
“Hard to imagine myself in that situation, honestly, but I'm so glad they chose me with the ball and to give the team the win,” Fedde said. “This whole fan base deserved [this]. This whole organization deserved [this]. Feels good to move on to the next round.”
And now, it’s on to Cleveland and the AL Division Series for the White Sox, in the ongoing saga between AL Central rivals. The White Sox won the season series, 7-6, but the Guardians won the division by one game to earn home-field advantage.
Cleveland features a strong rotation and one of the best closers in the game in Cade Smith. Then again, the Guardians will see a team on a roll that has been 21 years in the making.