The Houston Astros did not exactly storm into the postseason, but they are here, and that’s what matters now. Houston finished the regular season at 81-81, which was enough to win the AL West, even though that same record wouldn’t have been enough for second place in any other MLB division. The Astros still earned a division title, still earned a playoff spot, and now get to open the AL Wild Card Series at home in front of a Houston crowd that has seen plenty of October baseball.
The matchup is a little strange on paper because the Chicago White Sox actually had the better regular-season record at 84-78, finishing second in the AL Central before landing in the Wild Card round. But because the Astros won their division, this entire best-of-three series will be played at Daikin Park, where Houston enters as a slight home favorite and gets a chance to turn an uneven regular season into another postseason run. It all starts with Game 1 today, and for the Astros, this is the moment to prove that getting in was only the beginning.
The Astros’ first playoff game starts today at 4:00 p.m. CDT, and fans everywhere can tune in on Peacock. Fans in Houston can still find last-minute ticket deals at SeatGeek, StubHub, and Vivid Seats.
When is the Astros vs White Sox Game 1?
What: Houston Astros vs Chicago White Sox – AL Wild Card Series Game 1
When: Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. CDT
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The Astros open their series against the White Sox today, and Game 1 will air nationwide on Peacock and NBCSN. For fans watching without cable, Peacock is the easiest place to start, especially if you want to get straight to the MLB postseason.
For today’s game, fans will want Peacock Premium or Premium Plus. Peacock Premium costs $12.99/month and includes live sports and events, along with Peacock’s TV shows, movies, and originals. That makes it the most affordable Peacock plan for the Astros vs. White Sox series, since the whole series airs on Peacock.
Peacock Premium Plus costs $19.99/month and includes the same live sports access, along with no ads for most content (with limited exceptions, downloads, and access to your local NBC channel live. Live sports can still include ads, but Premium Plus is the better option for anyone who wants the upgraded Peacock experience beyond today’s Astros game.
fuboTV ($63.99 for the first month, then $88.99/month with a 7-day free trial)
Hulu + Live TV ($89.99/month with a 3-day free trial; also includes Disney+ and ESPN Unlimited)
YouTube TV ($59.99/month for the first 3 months, then $82.99/month with a variable free trial)
fuboTV ($63.99 for the first month, then $88.99/month with a 7-day free trial)
Hulu + Live TV ($89.99/month with a 3-day free trial; also includes Disney+ and ESPN Unlimited)
YouTube TV ($59.99/month for the first 3 months, then $82.99/month with a variable free trial)
