Saturday, October 2, 2026 • 1:00 PM
Progressive Field • Cleveland, OH
LHP Hagen Smith (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. RHP Parker Messick (–, -.–)
TBS
Buckle up. Both American League Division Series are bound to get messy.
Kicking off the ALDS format will be two division rivals in the White Sox and Guardians. Despite both of their over 100 year histories in the AL, neither side has ever faced off in the playoffs.
It’ll be exciting. And both teams will reignite their season rivalry for one last time in 2026. The Guardians edged out the White Sox for the division crown by one game this season, getting a boost with their series victory late in September. Still, the White Sox handled Cleveland throughout the year, and finished 7-6 against them.
It’s the first time in the ALDS for the White Sox since 2021, where they were bounced by the Astros. Chicago hasn’t advanced further than the division series since 2005, when they won the World Series. Also against the Astros.
Meanwhile, Cleveland is already further in the playoffs this season with Saturday’s Game 1. The club was bounced from the wild card round in 2025 by the Tigers, and were bounced out of the ALCS in 2024 by the Yankees. It’s the third straight season that the Guardians have won the Central, and they’re looking to ride their imposing rotation to a pennant.
Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
For the White Sox
- Chase Meidroth – 2B
- Randal Grichuk – LF
- Miguel Vargas – 3B
- Munetaka Murakami – 1B
- Tommy Pham – DH
- Brenton Doyle – CF
- Kyle Teel – C
- Braden Montgomery – RF
- Colson Montgomery – SS
Hagen Smith gets the Game 1 start for Chicago. The lefty has been used as an opener throughout the season, and is tasked with retiring Cleveland the first time through their order. Smith pitched three innings against the Astros in Game 1 of the AL wild card series, notching three scoreless innings in a crucial win.
For the Guardians
- Steven Kwan – CF
- Jose Ramirez – 3B
- Chase DeLauter – RF
- Jo Adell – DH
- Angel Marintez – LF
- David Fry – 1B
- Travis Bazzana – 2B
- Austin Hedges – C
- Brayan Rocchio – SS
Parker Messick takes the bump for Cleveland in Game 1. The righty was absolutely dominated in 2026, pitching to a 2.56 ERA with 193 punchouts in 186 2/3 innings. The lefty tossed three games against the South Side in 2026, punching out at least eight and never allowing more than three earned runs in all three starts.
