The White Sox vs Guardians matchup opens the 2026 American League Division Series with Cleveland hosting Chicago at Progressive Field. The Guardians enter the postseason after narrowly winning the AL Central, while the White Sox advanced by sweeping the Astros in the Wild Card Series.
Cleveland finished the regular season with an 85-77 record, one game ahead of Chicago at 84-78. Despite the standings difference, the White Sox won the regular-season series 7-6, with only one run separating the teams in total run differential.
White Sox vs Guardians Game 1 Live Score
Game 1 began with both teams scoreless after the opening inning.
Guardians starter Parker Messick allowed a walk and a hit in the first inning but escaped without allowing a run after striking out Tommy Pham. Messick needed 23 pitches to complete the inning.
Chicago starter Hagen Smith also opened the game strongly, working through a quick 1-2-3 first inning.
The early White Sox vs Guardians playoff matchup therefore remained tied 0-0.
Guardians Game Today: Starting Pitchers
Cleveland handed the ball to rookie All-Star Parker Messick, who finished the regular season 12-9 with a 2.56 ERA.
The White Sox countered with left-hander Hagen Smith, who posted a 3-3 record and a 1.29 ERA during the regular season.
The pitching matchup gives both teams left-handed starters as they begin the best-of-five ALDS.
Guardians Game Today Lineup
Cleveland’s Game 1 lineup featured:
- Steven Kwan — CF
- José Ramírez — 3B
- Chase DeLauter — RF
- Jo Adell — DH
- Angel Martínez — LF
- David Fry — 1B
- Travis Bazzana — 2B
- Austin Hedges — C
- Brayan Rocchio — SS
José Ramírez remains one of the central offensive players for Cleveland, while Steven Kwan leads off in the postseason opener.
White Sox Lineup vs Guardians
Chicago’s starting lineup was:
- 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
The White Sox lineup combines experienced hitters with several younger players as Chicago begins its ALDS campaign.
How the White Sox Reached the ALDS
Chicago entered the division series after defeating the Houston Astros 2-0 in the best-of-three AL Wild Card Series.
Cleveland, meanwhile, received a bye into the ALDS after winning the American League Central by a single game.
That sets up an especially close White Sox vs Guardians postseason matchup, considering Chicago had the better head-to-head record during the regular season.
Guardians ALDS Roster
Cleveland’s roster for the series includes catchers Patrick Bailey and Austin Hedges, along with infielders Travis Bazzana, Angel Genao, Nathaniel Lowe, José Ramírez, Brayan Rocchio and Daniel Schneemann.
The outfield group features Jo Adell, Chase DeLauter, David Fry, Petey Halpin, Steven Kwan and Angel Martínez.
The pitching staff includes Parker Messick, Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, Cade Smith, Hunter Gaddis, Tim Herrin and several other arms.
What Time Was the Guardians Game Today?
The first pitch for ALDS Game 1 was scheduled for 1:08 p.m. ET on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Progressive Field in Cleveland.
How to Watch White Sox vs Guardians
Fans could watch ALDS Game 1 through TBS, HBO Max, TruTV and Univision.
The game was also available through radio broadcasts on WMMS 100.7 FM, WTAM 1100 AM, WARF 1350 AM with a Spanish broadcast, and ESPN Radio.
White Sox vs Guardians Series Context
The ALDS matchup comes after an extremely tight American League Central race. Cleveland’s 85 wins edged Chicago’s 84, but the White Sox won seven of the 13 regular-season meetings.
With Chicago arriving after a Wild Card sweep and Cleveland entering after a division-winning bye, Game 1 provides the first opportunity for both teams to establish momentum in the best-of-five series.
For fans searching for the guardians game, guardians game today, or the latest White Sox vs Guardians score, Game 1 is the start of a postseason series featuring two familiar AL Central rivals.
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