Astros vs White Sox LIVE updates: Score, highlights from AL wild-card opener

The Houston Astros host the Chicago White Sox for Game 1 of the American League wild card series on Tuesday, the opener of the best-of-three set at Daikin Park.

Houston won the AL West with the worst record (81-81) of any playoff team in history and are in the postseason for the 10th time in 12 seasons. Meanwhile, the White Sox reached the playoffs for the first time since 2021, just two years after setting the MLB record with 121 losses in 2024.

Both teams will open the game with their bullpens, as rookies AJ Blubaugh gets the start for the Astros and Hagen Smith for the White Sox. The right-hander Blubaugh made 64 appearances with a 3.66 ERA in 96 innings in the regular season. Smith, the fifth overall pick in the 2024 draft, made 18 appearances after being promoted to the majors, racking up 41 strikeouts in 28 innings with a 1.29 ERA.

First pitch between the Astros and White Sox is scheduled for 5 p.m. (ET) on Tuesday, Sept. 29.

The Astros host the White Sox on Tuesday, Sept. 29. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET.

Yordan Alvarez walked eight times against the White Sox…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/sports/