White Sox return to Rate Field with a chance to clinch ALDS against Cleveland

Postseason baseball returns to Chicago on Wednesday as the White Sox host the Cleveland Guardians for Game 3 of the American League Division Series at Rate Field. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT, with Chicago holding a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five matchup. One more victory would send the Sox to the American League Championship Series for the first time since 2005.

For South Side fans, the afternoon offers an unusually rare possibility: watching their team finish a postseason series at home. The White Sox last accomplished that in Game 6 of the 1906 World Series against the Cubs, with Jiggs Donahue and George Davis among the players who helped secure that victory. Wednesday also marks the team's first home playoff game since 2021.

The team is asking fans to wear black for a coordinated ballpark theme. Reliever Bryan Hudson said Tuesday that he expects an especially energetic atmosphere and an extra boost of adrenaline for the players. Supporters watching elsewhere can find the game on TBS, truTV, UniMas and HBO Max, according to the viewing information listed by MLB.com.

Chicago brings a strong home record into the matchup. The Sox finished 48-33 at Rate Field this season, improving from 33-48 in 2025, and won four of their six regular-season home meetings with Cleveland. The Guardians, however, posted a better record away from home than in their own ballpark, going 44-37 on the road and 41-40 at home. Cleveland is making its third consecutive playoff appearance.

Both clubs plan to begin with an opener rather than a traditional extended start. Chicago will turn to left-hander Sean Newcomb, while Cleveland will use right-hander Daniel Espino. Newcomb supplied two scoreless innings in Monday's 4-3 Game 2 victory after Anthony Kay recorded the first out. Espino made his postseason debut in the series opener, recording two outs in relief of Parker Messick.

The White Sox bullpen has been central to the club's first four playoff wins. According to Stats Perform, Chicago is the only team in modern MLB history whose relievers have worked at least five innings, struck out at least five hitters and earned the victory in four consecutive games, counting both regular-season and postseason play. General manager Chris Getz described that approach as a way to make the most of the pitching staff's strengths.

Off days following each of the series' first two games have given Chicago breaks between those bullpen-heavy outings. Wednesday brings the first opportunity to complete the series in front of a home crowd. If Cleveland wins Game 3, the teams will meet again Thursday.