The Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros reached the postseason through different routes. The White Sox went 84-78, two years after losing 121 games. The Astros won the American League West crown at 81-81, becoming the first division champion without a winning record. Yet the Astros won five of seven meetings between the clubs this season.

Their best-of-three AL Wild Card Series begins Tuesday at 5 p.m. ET at Daikin Park. The winner faces the Cleveland Guardians. Here are three predictions for a matchup in which Game 1 and the final result could tell different stories.

White Sox take Game 1 in a battle of bullpens

Astros manager Joe Espada will use a bullpen game, with AJ Blubaugh opening for Houston. Blubaugh led major league relievers with 96 innings this season and posted a 3.66 ERA. Chicago will counter with rookie left-hander Hagen Smith after using its leading starters over the weekend.

Neither club has a conventional Game 1 starter. The Astros want Blubaugh and their other arms to bridge the gap to Bryan Abreu and Josh Hader. The White Sox want their lineup to capitalize before those late-inning specialists take over.

Miguel Vargas hit 33 homers and drew 101 walks. Munetaka Murakami added 35 homers as a rookie. Blubaugh held the White Sox scoreless over four regular-season innings, but opening a playoff game presents a different challenge. One mistake with a runner aboard could decide it. Chicago strikes first and puts Houston one loss from elimination.

Murakami hits the series’ defining home run

Murakami’s swing-and-miss risk makes him an uneasy postseason centerpiece. He also has the power to turn one swing into the image everyone remembers. After a second-half slump, he hit four homers over his final 10 regular-season games and posted a 1.062 OPS in that span.

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His surge included a two-homer game against Colorado on Friday. That finish makes a breakthrough plausible despite the pressure of his first MLB playoff appearance. Houston’s shifting Game 1 pitching assignments could offer Murakami one pitch he can drive before the Astros reach their best relievers.

Murakami homers in his postseason debut, delivering a go-ahead shot in a White Sox Game 1 victory. It becomes the series’ signature swing, even if it does not send the White Sox on to the ALDS to face the Guardians.

Brown powers Houston’s comeback

The opener represents Chicago’s clearest chance to seize control. Wednesday brings Hunter Brown. Houston’s ace posted a 1.38 ERA across two starts against the White Sox this season and is lined up for Game 2 on four days’ rest. He finished the year with a 3.19 ERA and gives Espada the strongest starting-pitching advantage in this series.

Brown keeps the White Sox power bats quiet and forces a deciding game. Hayden Wesneski would be on schedule to start Thursday, while the Astros can turn to their veteran lineup at home. Yordan Alvarez led the majors with a 1.033 OPS and hit 42 homers. Hader converted all 26 save chances.

Chicago lands the first punch, but Brown restores Houston’s footing. The Astros take Game 3 at Daikin Park and advance, 2-1.