CLEVELAND, Ohio – After capturing their third consecutive AL Central title, the Cleveland Guardians begin their postseason journey in Game 1 of the ALDS against the Chicago White Sox today – Saturday, Oct. 3 – at Progressive Field.
Check out details on how to watch this Guardians vs. White Sox ALDS game on TV and streaming services:
- What: MLB: Cleveland Guardians vs. Chicago White Sox
- When: Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026
- Time: 1 p.m. Eastern
- Channel: TBS, truTV, HBO Max and Univision (Spanish)
- Where: Progressive Field | Cleveland, Ohio
- Streaming options: DIRECTV (free trial and $35 off your first month) and SlingTV
How do I watch Guardians vs. White Sox ALDS game for free today?
This Guardians vs. White Sox ALDS game will broadcast live on TBS, truTV, HBO Max and Univision (Spanish) at 1 p.m. Eastern.
Fans who have parted ways with their local cable provider can watch at no cost by grabbing a free trial from DIRECTV, which also offers $35 off your first month.
Fans can also watch this game on SlingTV with the Sling Orange for just $45.99 per month. Sling Orange includes TBS, TNT and ESPN, among other channels.
Cleveland Guardians
After making uncharacteristically aggressive moves at the trade deadline, the Guardians (85-77) leapfrogged the White Sox down the stretch to capture their third straight AL Central title and the second seed in the American League.
In addition to adding All-Star pitcher Foster Griffin, and the veteran bats of Joel Adell and Nathaniel Lowe, Cleveland has used a brilliant 1-2 punch on the mound, paired with timely hitting to once again position themselves for an October to remember.
Rookies Chase DeLauter and Travis Bazzana could be the X-Factors for Cleveland. The latter is making his postseason debut, while DeLauter dipped his feet in the playoff waters in 2025 as a raw rookie who was plucked out of Triple-A Columbus at the last-minute.
Guardians players to watch
Brayan Rocchio
Rocchio has 15 home runs and 73 RBI while batting .253. He has six hits in his last five games, including two home runs and three RBI.
Chase DeLauter
The rookie has tallied 16 home runs and 67 RBI while batting .287 with a .820 OPS. DeLauter has four hits in his last five games, including one home run, two RBI and two doubles.
Jose Ramirez
Battling through a hand and wrist injury for a chunk of the season, Ramirez hasn’t been his usual self. He has recorded 12 home runs with 53 RBI and a .235 batting average. The Guardians centerpiece has four hits in his last five games, including two RBI.
Watch Guardians vs. White Sox Game 1 for free on DIRECTV
The White Sox
The White Sox (84-78) swept the Houston Astros in two games of the AL Wild Card, setting up this intriguing division clash between the two familiar teams.
The White Sox are riding a surge of naivety after their first playoff series victory in 21 years. Chicago entered the postseason after three consecutive 100-loss seasons. They spent a majority of the season at or near the top of the division.
Chicago won the season series against Cleveland, 7-6.
White Sox players to watch
Miguel Vargas
Vargas has 33 home runs and 93 RBI with a .250 batting average and .837 OPS. He has two hits in his last five games, including three RBI.
Munetaka Murakami
Murakami has 35 home runs and 77 RBI with a .207 batting average and .825 OPS. He has five hits in his last five games, including two home runs and four RBI.
Chase Meidroth
Meidroth has 16 home runs and 63 RBI while batting .276. He takes a seven-game hitting streak into today’s game, including five multi-hit performances. Meidroth hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning of Game 2 in the AL Wild Card.
Today’s pitching matchup
CLE Parker Messick (12-9, 2.56 ERA) vs. CHI Hagen Smith (3-3, 1.29)
In what was considered his full rookie campaign, Messick was sensational, earning the coveted spot of Game 1 starter in his postseason debut. The lefthander finished the regular season sixth in ERA, tied for 15th in strikeouts (193) and eighth in WHIP.
In four outings against the White Sox this season, Messick has gone 2-1 with a 2.81 ERA, allowing five walks while striking out 29.
Smith, a rookie reliever, gets the call for an opener/bullpen game after Chicago’s success down in Houston. He has 41 strikeouts with a 0.96 WHIP. He threw three innings against the Astros on Sept. 29, allowing two hits while striking out one.
Who is announcing Guardians vs. White Sox Game 1?
Alex Faust (play-by-play) and Ron Darling will be the announcers while Lauren Jbara will report from the field.
What are the latest odds for Guardians vs. White Sox Game 1?
Spread: CLE: (-1.5), CHI: (+1.5)
Moneyline: CLE: (-156), CHI: (+129)
Run total: 7
