A well-hyped American League Central showdown series between the host Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Guardians is set to continue Tuesday night with the clubs tied atop the division.
After squandering leads of 3-0 after six innings and 4-3 after seven, the White Sox rallied to win Monday’s series opener 6-5 on a walk-off, two-run single from Sam Antonacci with two outs.
“I think he really enjoys those moments,” Chicago manager Will Venable said. “I think he enjoys every moment out there, really, and you always see that competitive fight from him, putting together good at-bats.”
Antonacci went 2-for-4 with three RBIs while fellow rookie Braden Montgomery added a pair of hits.
Brayan Rocchio paced the Guardians with a 3-for-5 day, and Kahlil Watson contributed a pinch-hit, two-run single for his first major league hit.
Although the Guardians couldn’t hold a late lead behind closer Cade Smith, who was vying to record the final six outs, manager Stephen Vogt lauded his team’s effort to set up a frenetic finish.
“Really proud of the way we came charging back there in the seventh and then kept going,” Vogt said. “So really proud of the way we played tonight.”
The White Sox stopped a three-game losing streak on Monday and are 8-10 in June. The Guardians are 7-11 in the month.
Chicago has won 21 of its past 25 home games.
Cleveland will turn to left-hander Parker Messick on Tuesday as it tries to even the series and regain the lead in the Central.
Messick (7-3, 2.70 ERA) delivered a quality start on Thursday at Milwaukee to earn his first victory since May 24. The southpaw spaced two runs and four hits in six innings with three walks and a season-high-tying nine strikeouts in a 4-2 victory.
While Milwaukee consistently produced baserunners, Messick regrouped, including striking out the side in the third inning to strand the Brewers’ Christian Yelich at third base.
“I pretend like they’re not even there, and I just execute the pitches that are called,” Messick said. “That’s the only way to keep getting outs.”
Messick defeated the visiting White Sox in his lone start against them last season, pitching six innings of one-run ball on Sept. 13.
Right-hander Sean Burke (4-4, 3.89 ERA) is set to start for Chicago on Tuesday. Burke also is coming off a victory Thursday in which he matched his season best for strikeouts. He struck out eight New York Yankees in 7 1/3 innings while allowing one run and five hits with one walk in a 5-1 victory.
Burke credited his collaboration with catcher Edgar Quero, saying they “were on the same page” and “pretty diligent about attacking the guys and getting strike one.”
Quero, however, was sent to Triple-A Charlotte this week to make room for Kyle Teel, who went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in his 2026 debut Monday. Teel opened the season on the injured list as he battled hamstring and knee injuries.
Burke is 0-2 with a 4.40 ERA in four career appearances against the Guardians, including three starts. He has 19 strikeouts in 14 1/3 innings.
–Field Level Media
