The Chicago White Sox are moving on to the American League Division Series after completing a 2-0 Wild Card sweep of the Houston Astros.

Chicago clinched the series with a 7-3 win at Daikin Park on Wednesday. The White Sox had also defeated Houston 6-3 in the opening game, becoming the first team to eliminate an opponent from the 2026 postseason. Their reward is a trip to Progressive Field for an ALDS matchup with the Cleveland Guardians beginning Saturday.

Former US President Barack Obama joined the celebration with a message for his favorite team. After Chicago posted on X (formerly Twitter) about the special nature of the group, Obama responded:

“Congrats @WhiteSox — let's keep it going!”

The White Sox had not won a postseason series since sweeping the World Series in 2005.

Chicago lost more than 100 games in three consecutive seasons, including a 121-loss campaign two years ago. No team had previously reached the postseason after losing 100 games in two straight seasons.

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The White Sox finished the 2026 regular season with an 84-78 record and scored more runs than any other American League team. Chicago led the AL Central from July 4 until late September before the Guardians took the division by one game.

The White Sox carried that resilience against the Astros. Sam Antonacci opened Wednesday's game with a double and eventually scored on Kyle Teel's single. Chicago then sent four runs across in the first inning, forcing Houston starter Hunter Brown out of the game.

The Astros later trimmed the deficit to 4-3 with three solo home runs and loaded the bases in the fifth. Anthony Kay ended the threat by getting Jose Altuve to fly out.

The White Sox answered immediately in the sixth. After a double steal, Chase Meidroth launched a three-run homer to push Chicago's lead to 7-3.

Now, the White Sox head to Cleveland after winning their first playoff series since 2005. The Guardians finished 85-77 and received a Wild Card bye, giving them more than a week of rest before the ALDS.