MLB

Chicago White Sox, Tampa Bay Rays go up 2-0 in American League series

MLB playoffs

CLEVELAND -- The White Sox are returning to Chicago one win from advancing to the American League Championship Series for the first time in 21 years.

Braden Montgomery lined a two-run double down the right-field line in the sixth inning for the go-ahead runs and Sean Burke allowed one hit in 5 1/3 innings of impressive relief as the White Sox rallied past the Cleveland Guardians 4-3 on Monday to take a 2-0 lead in their AL Division Series.

Game 3 is Wednesday afternoon at Guaranteed Rate Field, where the White Sox have two chances to do something they haven't done since 1906 -- clinch a postseason series at home.

"They've been waiting 120 years, so maybe we can do it this year," said Grant Taylor, who worked 1 1/3 innings and allowed one hit as he got his second straight save. "I think it's going to be unbelievable. Those fans deserve it. They've been with us for three years of 100 losses and they've been with us a good bit this year giving us a lot of support as we've gone through this. So being able to give them a postseason game is going to be pretty special."

The surprising White Sox improved to 4-0 in these playoffs -- all on the road -- and are one win from reaching the ALCS for the first time since winning the World Series in 2005. Chicago became the first team to reach the postseason after three straight 100-loss seasons, including a post-1900 record 121 defeats in 2024.

"Our club has been confident the entire year, regardless of the previous result," manager Will Venable said. "They come in ready to play and turn the page. Now, we're really excited to get playoff baseball to our fans."

Yanks lose again

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Richie Palacios hit a two-run single in a four-run fifth inning and the Tampa Bay Rays took advantage of New York's sloppy defense, beating Cam Schlittler and the Yankees 5-2 on Monday night to take a 2-0 lead in their AL Division Series.

The Rays are one victory from reaching the American League Championship Series. Game 3 in the best-of-five playoff is Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium.

Ben Rice hit a pair of homers for the Yankees.

Padres must win

SAN DIEGO -- Although the San Diego Padres have plenty of concerns in the face of playoff elimination, they don't believe Mason Miller tipping his pitches is one of them.

Padres manager Craig Stammen dismissed the widespread online speculation after Game 2 of the NL Division Series that the Milwaukee Brewers could tell what was coming from San Diego's vaunted closer when they rallied for two runs and a 4-3 victory in the ninth inning.

"We've got a crew of people that are dedicated to that every single day," Stammen said Monday at Petco Park in preparation for tonight's Game 3. "That is their sole job. We're well aware of what's going on with our pitchers, well aware of what's going on with the Brewers pitchers and how they do things. It's part of our daily (regimen). The internet can go crazy and take things farther than they need to go. We feel good about our process within that situation."

Sale fully rested

ATLANTA -- Walt Weiss heard what he described as "screaming" from those who criticized his decision to have Ray Kerr open a bullpen game for the Atlanta Braves in Game 2 of the NL Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The critics thought Weiss should have started Chris Sale in Game 2 so the ace left-hander might also be an option if a Game 5 is necessary.

A Game 2 start on Sunday would have been normal rest for most pitchers, but the 37-year-old Sale has thrived this season when given extra rest. Also, Sale recorded the final four outs as a reliever in Thursday night's 6-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies to clinch the NL Wild Card Series.

Weiss acknowledged on Monday "it's satisfying" that his decision to use his bullpen worked out so well in the Braves' 3-2 Game 2 win that evened the best-of-five series 1-1.

"In the end, yeah, as we sit here today, it's the best-case scenario that we could possibly have," Weiss said. "Now we win the game, we win the bullpen game, and now we have a fresh Chris Sale ready to go."

Sale is expected to start Game 3 tonight against Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the 2025 World Series MVP.