Cleveland Guardians vs Chicago White Sox Prediction & Picks - MLB

Prediction published on 10/5/26, 8:06 AM  by Travis Pulver in MLB Picks

The Chicago White Sox (84-78, 36-45 Away) will try to take a 2-0 lead in the ALDS when they face the Guardians at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH, at 5 p.m. EST on TBS.

Chicago struggled at the plate after the All-Star Break, hitting .230 the rest of the way (No. 26). So, it was  relief when the lineup woke up in the Wild Card round against Houston, scoring six and seven runs. It didn’t do much in Game 1, recording three runs on the day, but with the pitching staff throwing a shutout, it was enough to get the win.

Cleveland will look to Gavin Williams to get the team off to a solid start on the mound. Williams went 14-8 this season in 32 starts with a 3.76 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and teams hit .213 against him. However, he often had his best stuff when pitching at home, where he went 8-4 in 18 starts with a 2.84 ERA and .201 OBA.  He had four starts vs. the White Sox during the regular season and went 0-1, giving up 2+ runs a game and never reaching the sixth inning.

As of this writing, the White Sox have not announced who will start on the mound in Game 2. After going with a bullpen day in Game 1, you’d think they’d go with someone from their rotation. But if that is the plan, they are keeping it to themselves (so far).