MLB playoffs: White Sox, Rays take 2-0 ALDS leads with Game 2 wins

On Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, the American League Division Series saw both the Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays take 2‑0 leads with Game 2 victories. Chicago rallied past the Cleveland Guardians 4‑3 at Progressive Field after overcoming an early 2‑0 deficit. The White Sox scored three runs in the sixth inning, highlighted by Braden Montgomery’s two‑run double and Chase Meidroth’s RBI single. Sean Burke delivered 5 1/3 innings of one‑hit relief, striking out six and allowing only one run. Grant Taylor recorded his second save of the postseason. Guardians starter Gavin Williams struck out 11 batters over five‑plus innings, but Cleveland’s offense could not generate enough late‑inning support. Entering the playoffs as the last wild‑card team, Chicago is now 4‑0 in October and can clinch its first ALCS appearance since 2005 with a Game 3 win on Wednesday. Tampa Bay defeated the New York Yankees 5‑2 at Tropicana Field by capitalizing on New York’s defensive miscues. The Yankees committed four errors, including three in the opening inning, but the Rays did not break through for their decisive surge until the fifth. Richie Palacios delivered a two‑run single during a four‑run rally. Jonathan Aranda and Junior Caminero each logged two hits. Ben Rice accounted for both of New York’s runs with two solo home runs, becoming the first Yankee to post aggregate two‑homer games in the same postseason. The Rays’ bullpen closed the game, with Bryan Baker earning his second save of the series. The Yankees now return to the Bronx facing elimination in Game 3 on Wednesday, while the Guardians must win to keep their series alive against Chicago. The other two Division Series — Los Angeles versus Atlanta and Milwaukee versus San Diego — are set to resume Tuesday.