White Sox surge past Guardians 4–3 to take 2–0 ALDS lead, one win from first ALCS since 2005

Braden Montgomery lined a two-run double down the right-field line and Sean Burke allowed one hit in 5⅓ innings of splendid relief as the Chicago White Sox beat the Cleveland Guardians 4–3 on Monday to take a 2–0 lead in their AL Division Series. (Associated Press, https://www.tsn.ca/mlb/article/white-sox-surge-past-guardians-to-move-within-one-win-of-the-alcs/)

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

Montgomery’s sixth-inning double drove in the go-ahead runs after Miguel Vargas singled, Randal Grichuk walked and Erik Sabrowski threw a wild pitch; Chase Meidroth followed with an RBI single. Kyle Teel had pulled Chicago within 2–1 in the fourth, scoring on Munetaka Murakami’s base hit. (AP)

Burke entered with one out in the third and retired 13 straight after walking Travis Bazzana, striking out six over 83 pitches. Grant Taylor worked 1⅓ innings for his second straight save. (AP)

Cleveland struck for two runs in the first — the first time in four games Chicago trailed — but Gavin Williams’ 11 strikeouts went to waste as the offence failed for a second straight game. Jo Adell hit an RBI triple in the eighth for the Guardians. (AP)

The best-of-five series shifts to Chicago for Game 3 on Wednesday. (AP)