White Sox win Game 1 against Astros as Pope Leo sends letter to team's chairman, Cubs take on Padres

The Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs both began their Wild Card Series Tuesday, giving local fans plenty to follow after the Bears’ win the night before.

The White Sox defeated the Astros 6-3 in Game 1 in Houston at 4 p.m., and the Cubs were trailing the Padres in San Diego 0-7 as of 10:45 p.m.

The Blackhawks also play Tuesday night, creating a busy stretch for Chicago sports fans.

A letter from White Sox fan and Chicago native Pope Leo XIV to the team’s chairman, Jerry Reinsdorf, arrived at Rate Field.

Earlier today, a letter from Pope Leo XIV arrived at Rate Field. Go White Sox! pic.twitter.com/7qPKXPrDyz

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) September 29, 2026

The letter thanks the team for their “pope night” tribute over the summer.

White Sox strike first in AL wild card, beating Astros 6-3 in Game 1

Colson Montgomery hit a solo homer and Sam Antonacci drove in two runs to lead the Chicago White Sox over the Houston Astros 6-3 in Game 1 of an AL Wild Card Series on Tuesday.

The White Sox, in the postseason for the first time since 2021, made a remarkable turnaround this year to become the only team in major league history to follow consecutive 100-loss seasons with a playoff berth. They had lost 100 games three straight seasons, including 121 defeats in 2024, setting the record for most losses since 1899.

“We came here to win the series and the first part of that is getting this first win, which is great,” manager Will Venable said.

He added that he was impressed with the poise his young team showed.

“A bunch of young guys that haven’t been in this situation before, they didn’t back down at all,” he said. “So really good stuff to come out and have an early win.”

The White Sox got a letter of support from Pope Leo XIV, a Chicago native, prior to the game and got to work immediately to show off for the pontiff.

They led 3-0 after two innings and held on for their first playoff win since Oct. 10, 2021 in the ALDS against Houston.

The AL West-winning Astros eked out a playoff spot with an 81-81 record to become the first team to reach the postseason without a winning record. Houston lost its eighth straight home playoff game in its ninth trip to the postseason in the last 10 years.

Game 2 in the best-of-three series is Wednesday in Houston.

Manager Joe Espada is confident his team will respond Wednesday to force a Game 3.

“Our backs have been against the corner before and I think that’s when we are our best, when we fight back,” he said. “We know it’s a do or die and we’ve been here before, so I really admire how they bounce back and they react to challenges. I expect them to go out there and bounce back and our offense to get going.”

MVP-favorite Yordan Alvarez said they’re ready for the challenge.

“Tomorrow we have to come out here and win or there’s no tomorrow after that,” he said in Spanish through a translator.

Houston had runners on first and third with two outs in the eighth after singles by Jeremy Peña and Alvarez when Jose Altuve reached and Peña scored on an error by third baseman Miguel Vargas to cut the lead to 6-3.

The Astros’ tough day came in front of a surprisingly thin crowd. The announced attendance was 34,011 in a park with a capacity of 40,963. The home fans peppered the team with some boos when it fell behind early.

Both teams went with a bullpen game and combined to use 13 pitchers. Chicago opened with rookie left-hander Hagen Smith, and he allowed two hits in three scoreless innings.

“It was cool just to get the opportunity to go out there and do that,” he said. “And, yeah, just try to go out there and compete the best I can for the team and give us the best chance to win.”

Houston’s rookie opener AJ Blubaugh gave up two walks, and an error by Christian Walker left runners on first and third with one out in the first. The White Sox took an early lead on a sacrifice fly by Murakami.

Bryan King plunked Montgomery to load the bases with no outs in the second before Antonacci’s single pushed the lead to 3-0.

Espada said having to use two pitchers so early made piecing together the game difficult.

“It puts you in a tough spot for sure,” he said.

Montgomery, who Venable dropped to ninth in the order Tuesday, opened the fourth with a 432-foot homer to straightaway center field to make it 4-0. He hit 31 home runs in the regular season but also set the single-season record with 227 strikeouts.

Chicago made it 5-0 on a bases-loaded RBI single by Chase Meidroth with one out in the fifth.

Pinch-hitter Nelson Velázquez hit a two-run homer to cut the lead to 5-2 with two outs in the fifth.

The White Sox tacked on another run on a wild pitch by Bennett Sousa in the seventh.

North Side, South Side fans unite in playoff excitement despite away games

Cubs and White Sox fans may disagree on everything from ballparks to bragging rights, but on the opening night of postseason baseball, many were holding on to the same hope: that this could be their year.

For most of the season, Chicago’s baseball loyalties are divided along neighborhood lines. The uniforms are different, the rivalries are fierce and fans on the North and South sides often see the game through different lenses.

But from Bridgeport to Wrigleyville, playoff excitement brought fans together as both teams opened their postseason journeys.

“It’s playoff baseball. The whole city of Chicago seems like sports are on the rise,” White Sox fan Montrae Guy said.

On the South Side, fans described a sense of disbelief surrounding a postseason run that few expected.

“You go from breaking the record for most losses to this is, you know, it seemed like they were ahead of schedule,” Guy said.

Outside Rate Field ahead of game time, fans said the city is energized by the run of games.

“Feeling great, really excited about what’s going on in the city. The Bears game last night was awesome, so fun, excited for the Cubs, excited for the Sox. So, a lot of fun to be a Chicago sports fan,” said Mark Burden, a White Sox and Bears fan. “We didn’t expect them to be here. They struggled for the last few years. So it’s really, I mean, it’s just awesome, almost unexpected that they’re in this position.”

White Sox manager Will Venable said the team is focused on the challenge ahead after its regular-season success.

“We understand all that is behind us as far as regular season success but we’re proud of the fact that we won 84 games and all the progress we’ve made leading to that,” Venable said.

White Sox fan Nick Ranola said the team’s playoff appearance exceeded expectations.

“They were built to win 70 games this year and they made it to the playoffs. So all you need is a ticket to the dance and you just might come home a winner,” Ranola said.

A few train stops north, a similar energy filled Murphy’s Bleachers in Wrigleyville as Cubs fans watched Game 1 of their team’s Wild Card series.

The postseason excitement extended well beyond Chicago.

Dan Williams, who grew up in Arlington Heights and now lives in Southern California, made the drive to San Diego to watch the Cubs play in person.

“LA doesn’t have the same fans they have in Chicago. And so bringing a little piece to Chicago, to those diehard fans is a great feeling out here,” Williams said.

Some fans welcomed the Cubs game’s late start time.

“I love the fact that they’re not playing at 1 p.m. I love the fact that I actually get to watch it after I’m done with work. And a lot of us folks who work 8 to 5, we finally get to watch the game,” Cubs fan Pierre Stephens said.

Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong said he was looking forward to another postseason appearance.

“It’s exciting to do it in a new place. This is a fun place to play in the regular season; it’s gonna be rockin’, and I’m just looking forward to year two of playoff baseball,” Crow-Armstrong said.

Outside Wrigley Field, fans stopped to take photos with the Cubs marquee while reflecting on what might have been. Many had hoped the Cubs would secure the top wild-card spot and host postseason games at Wrigley.

Caroline Dobbe, a Cubs season ticket holder from California, traveled to Chicago expecting to attend a playoff game at Wrigley Field.

“I flew in hoping the wildcard would be here. So, I’m hanging out and hopefully I’ll be here next week,” Dobbe said.

Fans on both sides of town said they were happy to see playoff baseball, even if the games were being played elsewhere.

“This is good, but it would be better if it was at home,” White Sox fan Rich Konagel said.

Some fans had already made plans in anticipation of home playoff games. Dan Becker said he had tickets ready if the Cubs were playing at Wrigley on Tuesday.

“You probably won’t be able to come back next week.”

“Not unless the wife lets me.”

“She’s standing right there. She’s listening.”

“A little nudge.”

As Cubs fans looked ahead to Game 2 and White Sox fans celebrated their team’s playoff run, supporters of both clubs shared a common feeling.

They may follow two teams with different histories, but on the first night of postseason baseball, fans on both sides of Chicago were hoping the ride was just getting started.

Fans crowd bars as to watch Peacock-streamed games

Fans of both teams filled bars across the city Tuesday. Both teams opened postseason play on games streamed by Peacock, leaving some fans without a way to watch at home.

A crowd gathered at Wings and Rings in Bridgeport as the White Sox got underway in Houston. Meanwhile, baseball fans got an early start to the day watching the Phillies-Braves game before turning their attention to the Cubs-Padres matchup later that evening.

At the Billy Goat Tavern in Wrigleyville, Cubs fans settled in despite having hours to wait before first pitch.

“We’re excited. We’ve waited all season to eat to this point. Gotta wait until 9 p.m. now,” said Jimmy Haritos of the Billy Goat Tavern.

For fans without access to Peacock, bars offered one of the few places to watch the games.

“We have to line up a Peacock subscription for tonight,” Cubs fan Aaron Soboloski said.

What’s ahead

Whether Chicago fans get another chance to gather for postseason baseball next week will depend on the results on the field. And other fans are already thinking beyond the opening game.

“I am hoping for a good, steady game, not rushed, um, a confidence in our players is, I think, they have all the potential to get us to get win the Wild Card and move forward in the series,” Cubs fan Elsie Albelo said.

With the White Sox and Cubs in playoff action and the Blackhawks also taking the ice, fans said they are preparing for another late night of sports.

“It’s gonna be a long day, fun day. Be up late again tonight, two nights in a row. Tough start to the week. But it’s good,” Burden said.

The wild card series continue Wednesday. The Bears are scheduled to host the Jets at Soldier Field on Sunday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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