The Chicago White Sox defeated the Houston Astros 7-3 on Wednesday night, completing a postseason sweep to capture their first playoff series victory since 2005.
White Sox Sweep Astros Behind Chase Meidroth’s Home Run
Driving the decisive blow in the sixth inning, Chase Meidroth launched a three-point home run to break open a tight game and secure the 7-3 decision. The victory completed a clean sweep of the American League West champions, sending Chicago through to the American League Division Series.
For a franchise that endured 100-loss seasons during each of their three last seasons, the turnaround represents a remarkable shift. The White Sox are now the only team in Major League Baseball history to reach the postseason after suffering at least two straight seasons of 100 or more defeats.
“I’m proud of the guys and certainly happy for them, because they are probably the seuls in this country to have believed they could get here,” said second-year manager Will Venable. “They kept that belief from the start of the season, they maintained it throughout the year and they made that goal a reality.”
Early Offense Punctuates Houston’s Defensive Struggles
Chicago established control immediately by plating four runs in the opening frame. Astros ace Hunter Brown struggled from the outset, exiting the game after recording only two outs while hampered by a defense that committed two first-inning errors. Brown entered the contest boasting a 6-0 career record and a 2.39 ERA against the White Sox.
Despite the early deficit, Houston clawed back within striking distance at 4-3. Solo home runs from Jeremy Peña, Cam Smith, and Jose Altuve kept the home crowd engaged. However, Meidroth’s sixth-inning blast off Astros pitching extinguished the rally.
“I was looking for a ball middle-up,” Meidroth said regarding his sixth-inning at-bat. “He had the advantage on me all year with a very good fastball. So I got that pitch middle-up, and I was able to take advantage of it for the team.”
Historic Context and Postseason Implications
The series victory marks Chicago’s first since 2005, when the club triumphed against these same Astros in the World Series. Bolstered by resilience and a letter of support from Pope Leo XIV, Venable’s squad now advances to face the Cleveland Guardians in the ALDS beginning Saturday.
Meanwhile, the loss compounds a difficult stretch for Houston. The Astros finished the regular season with an 81-81 record, becoming the first playoff team in MLB history to reach the postseason without a winning record. Wednesday’s setback extended their home postseason losing streak to nine consecutive games, following their consecutive first-round home sweep after falling to the Detroit Tigers in 2024.
Houston now faces an offseason of transition. Manager Joe Espada finishes his current campaign with his contract expiring, following the departure of general manager Dana Brown last month.
“We fought, we set out with the goal of winning this division and we achieved that,” Espada said. “We wanted to go deep in October. We didn’t pull it off, but I’m extremely proud of our team, of the way the guys stayed together and managed to get this far.”
Upcoming Schedule
The White Sox open the American League Division Series against the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday.
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