The White Sox and Rays are both just one victory away from advancing to the ALCS. On Monday, Chicago and Tampa Bay each secured a 2-0 lead in their respective division series, with the chance to clinch their spots on Wednesday.
Chicago is undefeated at 4-0 this postseason; a single win would propel them into the ALCS for the first time since their 2005 championship triumph. Meanwhile, the Rays have taken advantage of a struggling Yankees team, who have been plagued by errors — five in total, including three in the opening inning. After scoring 18 runs in a Wild Card sweep against the Red Sox, New York has managed only two runs in two games against Tampa Bay, both from solo homers by Ben Rice.
Here are the key takeaways from Day 3 of the MLB Division Series:
Key Moment
The White Sox faced their first deficit in the postseason but rallied thanks to rookie Braden Montgomery and second baseman Chase Meidroth, who turned the game around in a single inning. Chicago had dominated most of the postseason but fell behind early to Cleveland after two runs in the first inning. However, Guardians starter Gavin Williams, despite striking out 11 over five-plus innings, couldn’t maintain the lead in the sixth inning. Miguel Vargas singled, Munetaka Murakami advanced him, and Randal Grichuk walked with Montgomery delivering a clutch opposite-field double to give Chicago a 3-2 lead. Meidroth sealed the rally with an RBI single, and the White Sox held on to win 4-3. Now 4-0 this postseason with a 2-0 series lead, the White Sox are positioned to reach the ALCS with a win in either Game 3 or Game 4.
Top Batter
Junior Caminero punished the Yankees for their cautious pitching from Game 1. The Rays’ third baseman, who slugged 42 homers during the regular season and is a top AL MVP contender, broke loose in Game 2. He hit a gap double in the fifth inning, scoring a run on a misplay by Yankees shortstop George Lombard Jr. Additionally, Caminero’s ground ball in the first inning led to the game’s initial run after a Yankees error on Jazz Chisholm Jr. With the Yankees scoring only two runs and committing five errors in Game 2, their hopes of evening the series heading back home have dimmed.
Top Pitcher
Freddy Peralta was exactly what the Rays needed when they acquired him from the Mets at the trade deadline. In his first start with Tampa Bay since the regular season, Peralta retired the first nine Yankees batters he faced. Over 4⅔ innings, he surrendered only three hits, one walk, and a single run (a solo homer by Ben Rice), while striking out three. Since August 26, Peralta boasts a 0.79 ERA—the best in baseball over that period—a remarkable turnaround from his earlier struggles. The Rays’ bullpen took over and allowed just one more run, closing the game in the ninth inning.
What’s Coming Up
The division series action continues with the NLDS Game 3 matchups on Tuesday and the ALDS Game 3 games on Wednesday:
- Tuesday, Oct. 6: at Braves (Game 3), 6 p.m. ET on FOX, series tied 1-1
- Tuesday, Oct. 6: Brewers at Padres (Game 3), 9:30 p.m. ET on FS1, Brewers lead 2-0
- Wednesday, Oct. 7: Guardians at White Sox (Game 3), 4 p.m. ET, White Sox lead 2-0
- Wednesday, Oct. 7: Rays at Yankees (Game 3), 8 p.m. ET, Rays lead 2-0
Fan Take:
This moment is crucial for baseball fans because it highlights rising stars and the intensity of postseason drama, with long-awaited returns and breakout performances shaping the path forward. How these teams perform could redefine competitive dynamics in the AL for years to come, making this postseason one of the most exciting in recent memory.
Source: www.foxsports.com
