Sports · Baseball · 18 hrs ago
White Sox fall short of ALCS after major turnaround
The Chicago White Sox ended the 2026 season with a loss to the Cleveland Guardians in Game 5 of the American League Division Series.
Chicago had won the first two games but then lost three in a row, missing a place in the next round.
The season was still a major turnaround after three straight seasons with at least 100 losses, including a record 121 losses in 2024.
The White Sox finished the regular season 84-78 and reached the playoffs as a wild-card team.
They have several young players under team control for years, including third baseman Miguel Vargas, shortstop Colson Montgomery and center fielder Tristan Peters.
Their young core gives the team a base to build on, though the source says it is not yet enough to make them one of baseball’s best teams.
Chicago will look for ways to improve the roster in the offseason, and its projected player salaries for 2027 leave room to spend.
The Chicago White Sox lost Game 5 of the American League Division Series to the Cleveland Guardians and missed the ALCS.
Chicago had taken a 2-0 lead in the series before losing three straight games.
The White Sox finished the regular season 84-78 and earned a wild-card spot.
They beat the Houston Astros in the Wild Card Series after three straight seasons with at least 100 losses.
The team enters the offseason with a young core and roughly $89 million in player salaries committed for 2027.
- Who
- The Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Guardians.
- What
- The White Sox lost Game 5 of the ALDS and did not reach the ALCS.
- When
- Saturday, October 10, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- The Guardians won Game 5 after the White Sox took a 2-0 lead in the series.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
No direct quotes in the coverage so far.
The White Sox set a franchise record with 121 losses.
Chicago finished 84-78 and earned a wild-card spot.
The White Sox beat the Houston Astros.
Chicago won the first two games against Cleveland, then lost three straight, including Game 5 on Saturday.
- Regular-season record
- 84-78
- ALDS result
- Cleveland beat Chicago in Game 5 after trailing 2-0 in the series
- Wild Card opponent
- Houston Astros, who had 81 wins
- Record losses
- 121 in 2024
- 2027 player salaries committed
- Roughly $89 million
Sources
Related news
Brewers host Dodgers in National League Championship Series opener
Brewers captain benched for Game 1 against Dodgers
Dodgers face Brewers with Tarik Skubal starting
Ohtani bats fourth, Hernández starts at second base in NLCS Game 1
Yankees social media spotlight is titled “Curtains”
Cubs look back at their 2016 NLDS ninth-inning comeback
Championship Series matchups highlight Nationals’ ability to win without a huge payroll
A pitching matchup is billed as the 2026 postseason’s best
Dodgers and Brewers announce NLCS rosters
Dodgers name Skubal for NLCS opener against Brewers, Yamamoto for Game 2
Gavin Williams to start for Guardians in deciding ALDS Game 5
