White Sox Take 1-0 Lead Over Astros

The Chicago White Sox beat the Houston Astros 6-3 in Game 1 of their American League wild-card series, taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three matchup and moving within one win of advancing. Chicago capitalized on Houston’s bullpen-game struggles, while rookie Hagen Smith and the White Sox bullpen helped contain the Astros. Houston, which finished the regular season 81-81, must win Wednesday to avoid elimination; Hunter Brown is scheduled to start against Chicago’s Sean Burke, who is making his postseason debut. Brown has a strong record against the White Sox. If Houston forces a decisive Game 3, its start time and television network will depend on the outcomes of the other wild-card series.