Chicago White Sox stun Houston Astros to take 1-0 lead in American League Wild Card Series

Needing a win in game 162 to reach October baseball, the Astros delivered, winning 9-0 behind a bullpen game and the 29th homer of the season from Christian Walker.On Tuesday, they tried to run that same formula back again, starting long reliever A.J.

Blubaugh, backed up by Bryan King and Miguel Ullola.This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners.If you sign up or place a wager, FOX News may be compensated.

This content was created by a team that works independently from the FOX newsroom.Against the most powerful offense in the American League, it didn't work.Two first inning walks for the White Sox and a throwing error from Walker preceded a sacrifice fly from Munetaka Murakami.

And without the benefit of a hit, Chicago took a 1-0 lead.In the second though, the hits started coming.

A Chase Meidroth single, Colson Montgomery hit by pitch put two on for Sam Antonacci, who delivered the big blow to put Chicago up 3-0.CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGEChicago White Sox outfielder Sam Antonacci hit a single during the second inning against the Houston Astros in Game 1 of the wild-card round of the 2026 MLB playoffs at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas, on Sept.29, 2026.

(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)A solo homer from Colson Montgomery and some careless Astros pitching sandwiched around a Nelson Velazquez two-run homer extended the lead to 6-2.And the White Sox never looked back, with Grant Taylor going 2.1 innings with five strikeouts to close out the game and give Chicago the big 1-0 lead.This outcome is a microcosm of how the Astros and White Sox have played throughout the regular season.

Chicago's lineup took advantage of a below-average Houston bullpen, and a rookie with little experience played the hero.THE CRAIG CARTON SHOW–UNFILTERED, UNAPOLOGETIC AND UNMISSABLE.DOWNLOAD HIS DAILY PODCAST NOW!Hagen Smith, who has just 28 innings of regular season big league experience under his belt, put up three scoreless innings with ...