All eight remaining teams vying for a World Series ring got underway on Saturday. After having an off day on Sunday, the American League teams- the Yankees, Rays, White Sox, and Guardians- take the field on Monday.

In Game 1, the White Sox dominated Cleveland, taking Game 1 in a 4-0 victory. The Rays, led by ace Drew Rasmussen, held the Yankees hitless until Austin Wells hit a double with two outs in the eighth. Wells tested the arm of Victor Mesa Jr. and Taylor Walls, and was thrown out trying for third to end the inning.

The Division Series is a best-of-5, and Game 2 takes on even more importance before the teams travel for Game 3.

Chicago White Sox (1-0) vs. Cleveland Guardians (0-1), 5:00 PM ET @ Cleveland

It was a tale of two stories for the AL Central teams on Saturday, as the White Sox went with another bullpen game, while the Guardians opted for rookie breakout Parker Messick. However, Munetaka Murakami, one of the South Side’s multiple breakout starts in 2026, took Messick deep for a two-run homer in the fourth inning, and Chicago never looked back.

In Game 2, former Mets prospect Anthony Kay (10-9, 4.44) starts for Chicago, while the Guardians will hand the ball to Gavin Williams (14-8, 3.76 ERA). Kay, the Mets’ former first-round pick in the 2016 MLB Draft, has made two postseason appearances for the White Sox in the Wild Card round against Houston. He pitched in two innings, earning a win in Game 1. While he’s been used primarily as a starter in 2026, it remains to be seen how the White Sox will use him in Game 2. Williams was sensational for the Guardians in 2026, leading the American League in strikeouts (248), just four strikeouts behind MLB leader Jacob Misiorowski (252).

White Sox Lineup:

  1. Sam Antonacci, LF
  2. Kyle Teel, C
  3. Miguel Vargas, 3B
  4. Munetaka Murakami, 1B
  5. Andrew Benintendi, DH
  6. Tristan Peters, CF
  7. Braden Montgomery, RF
  8. Chase Meidroth, 2B
  9. Colson Montgomery, SS

Starting Pitcher: Anthony Kay

Guardians Lineup:

  1. Steven Kwan, CF
  2. José Ramírez, 3B
  3. Chase DeLauter, RF
  4. Jo Adell, DH
  5. Nathaniel Lowe, 1B
  6. Angel Martínez, LF
  7. Travis Bazzana, 2B
  8. Patrick Bailey, C
  9. Brayan Rocchio, SS

Starting Pitcher: Gavin Williams

New York Yankees (0-1) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (1-0), 8:00 PM ET @ Tampa Bay

After dominating the Red Sox in the Wild Card Series and outscoring them 18-2, the Yankees were held scoreless and almost hitless against the Rays. Of course, Gerrit Cole was dominant in his own manner, giving up just one run on a Jonathan Aranda solo homer in a 1-0 game. However, the Yankees will look to bounce back and even the series before returning to the Bronx on Wednesday.

Presumptive AL Cy Young winner Cam Schlittler (14-6, 1.95 ERA) takes the mound for New York, while former Met Freddy Peralta (10-11, 4.42 ERA) gets the ball for the Rays. Schlittler was superb in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card, delivering 6.1 innings of two-hit ball and 10 strikeouts. On the flip side, Peralta struggled immensely in his time with the Mets, pitching to a 4.99 ERA in 22 starts. However, it’s been a different story for Freddy in Tampa Bay; in his ten starts with the Rays, he went 5-2 with a 3.25 ERA.

Yankees Lineup:

Starting Pitcher: Cam Schlittler

Rays Lineup:

  1. Yandy Díaz, DH
  2. Jonathan Aranda, 1B
  3. Junior Caminero, 3B
  4. Liam Hicks, C
  5. Chandler Simpson, LF
  6. Victor Mesa Jr., RF
  7. Jonny DeLuca, CF
  8. Richie Palacios, 2B
  9. Taylor Walls, SS

Starting Pitcher: Freddy Peralta