White Sox Beat Astros, Box Score Stats, Highlights & Updated Bracket After 2026 MLB Wild Card Game 1

An explosive first inning propelled the Chicago White Sox to a Game 1 victory over the Houston Astros in their American League Wild Card matchup Tuesday, as Chicago secured a 6-3 win on the road behind a standout performance from Munetaka Murakami.

The Astros entered Tuesday's matchup as 1.5-point favorites, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, but were unable to capitalize on their home-field advantage. 

Houston starter AJ Blubaugh struggled from the outset, allowing three walks and an RBI on 27 pitches before being pulled with the first inning still in progress.

Box Score

	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th	7th	8th	9th
White Sox	1	2	0	1	1	0	0	0	0
Astros	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	1	0

Hitting
Top  Players	AB	R	H	RBI	HR	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG
Sam Antonacci, CHW	3	1	1	2	0	1	0	.333	.600	.333
Munetaka Murakami, CHW	3	2	1	1	0	1	2	.333	.400	.333
Chase Meidroth, CHW	4	1	2	1	0	0	0	.500	.500	.500
Colson Montgomery, CHW	3	1	1	1	1	0	1	.333	.500	1.333
Nelson Velazquez, HOU	3	1	1	2	1	0	1	.333	.333	1.333
Jose Pena, HOU	4	1	1	0	0	0	0	.250	.250	.250
Lucas Spence, HOU	4	1	1	0	0	0	2	.250	.250	.250
Pitching
Top Players	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HR	PC-ST	ERA
Hagen Smith, CHW	3.0	2	0	0	0	1	0	38-28	0.00
Grant Taylor, CHW	1.1	2	1	0	1	3	0	41-25	0.00
Miguel Ullola, HOU	3.0	1	1	1	0	4	1	31-26	3.00

Postseason Bracket

American League Wild Card

• No. 6 Chicago White Sox lead No. 3 Houston Astros, 1-0
• No. 4 New York Yankees vs. No. 5 Boston Red Sox

National League Wild Card

• No. 3 Atlanta Braves leads No. 6 Philadelphia Phillies, 1-0
• No. 4 San Diego Padres vs. No. 5 Chicago Cubs

American League Division Series

• No. 2 Cleveland Guardians vs. Winner of No. 3 Houston Astros / No. 6 Chicago White Sox
• No. 1 Tampa Bay Rays vs. Winner of No. 4 New York Yankees / No. 5 Boston Red Sox

National League Division Series

• No. 2 Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Winner of No. 3 Atlanta Braves / No. 6 Philadelphia Phillies
• No. 1 Milwaukee Brewers vs. Winner of No. 4 San Diego Padres / No. 5 Chicago Cubs

MLB.com has released the complete playoff schedule, including dates and information on where to watch each game.

A rocky first inning from the Astros' pitching staff helped the White Sox jump out to an early 1-0 lead, with Murakami delivering a sacrifice fly to bring home Sam Antonacci for the game's first run.

Chicago continued to build on its momentum on the road, adding four more runs while keeping Houston off the scoreboard through the fifth inning.

Antonacci added two RBIs in the second inning, while Chase Meidroth drove in another run in the fifth. Colson Montgomery also got in on the action, launching a solo home run to center field in the fourth to extend the White Sox's lead.

Nelson Velazquez provided a much-needed spark for Houston in Game 1, launching a two-run homer in the fifth inning to finally put the Astros on the scoreboard and cut the White Sox's lead to 5-2.

Houston's pitching struggles continued to hurt the Astros, as a wild pitch in the seventh inning allowed Chicago's Murakami to score from third. The run extended the White Sox's advantage to 6-2.

José Altuve came through for Houston with two outs, racing through first base on an infield single that brought home a run and trimmed the deficit to 6-3 heading into the final inning.

The Astros and closer Josh Hader kept the White Sox off the scoreboard in the top of the ninth, giving Houston a final opportunity to erase the deficit and either tie the game or take the lead.

Christian Walker drew a walk and advanced to second, but Houston could not produce a late-game rally. Velazquez was unable to replicate his earlier heroics, grounding out to record the final out and seal a 6-3 Game 1 victory for the White Sox.

With a chance to sweep the Astros and advance 2-0 in the AL Wild Card Series, the White Sox will remain the road team in Houston on Wednesday for Game 2. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. ET, with the game available to stream on Peacock and watch on NBCSN.