The White Sox Just Answered Their Biggest Postseason Question

The White Sox defeated the Astros 6-3 in Houston. The game was described as far more one-sided than the final score suggested, with Chicago outhitting Houston 11-6 while drawing four walks.

Hagen Smith fired three scoreless innings, allowing just two hits while generating seven swings and misses. Despite having only 28 innings of MLB experience, the 23-year-old also became the first pitcher in MLB history to throw at least 25 innings, allow five or fewer runs, and average at least 12 strikeouts per nine innings through his first 19 career games including the postseason.

Colson Montgomery launched a towering 432-foot homer to center field in the fourth inning. The blast came on a fastball up and away, a pitch he had struggled to handle throughout the regular season.

Grant Taylor earned the save with a seven-out effort, racking up five strikeouts and throwing a career-high 54 pitches. His biggest moment came when he froze Yainer Diaz with an 84-mph curveball for a called third strike to end Houston's biggest threat.

Catcher Kyle Teel successfully overturned three called balls through ABS challenges, including two in the eighth inning during the most critical stretch of the game. His pitch framing and challenge management proved crucial in helping Grant Taylor navigate the toughest moments of the night.