The Chicago White Sox are one victory away from continuing one of baseball’s most unlikely postseason runs.
Braden Montgomery delivered a go-ahead two-run double and Sean Burke provided 5⅓ dominant innings of relief as the White Sox defeated the Cleveland Guardians 4-3 Monday, taking a commanding 2-0 lead in their American League Division Series.
Chicago can advance to the ALCS for the first time since its 2005 World Series championship with a Game 3 victory Wednesday at home.
Cleveland jumped ahead 2-0 in the first inning. Steven Kwan singled and José Ramírez walked before both eventually scored, with Ramírez crossing the plate following an errant throw.
Chicago answered in the fourth. Kyle Teel recorded the White Sox’s first hit before Munetaka Murakami drove him home with a single, cutting Cleveland’s advantage to 2-1.
The game changed in the sixth.
Miguel Vargas singled to chase Guardians starter Gavin Williams, who struck out 11. Randal Grichuk later walked, and a wild pitch advanced both runners before Montgomery attacked a first-pitch fastball and ripped a two-run double down the right-field line.
Chase Meidroth followed with an RBI single, giving Chicago a 4-2 advantage.
White Sox’s incredible turnaround reaches new heights
Burke was outstanding after entering with one out in the third. He allowed only one hit, struck out six and retired 13 consecutive batters at one point while throwing 53 of his 83 pitches for strikes.
Cleveland attempted to rally in the eighth when Chase DeLauter ended Burke’s night with a single and Jo Adell followed with an RBI triple. However, Grant Taylor escaped further damage before finishing the game for his second consecutive save.
The victory puts Chicago on the verge of an improbable ALCS appearance after becoming the first team to reach the postseason following three consecutive 100-loss seasons.
After losing a modern-era record 121 games in 2024, the White Sox are suddenly one win away from baseball’s final four.
