Astros Reach Unfortunate Low During Wild Card Sweep

Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Astros Reach Unfortunate Low During Wild Card Sweep

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Miracle Dimwesh | Last updated Oct 1, 2026 10:33 AM ET

The Houston Astros made unwanted MLB history during their American League Wild Card Series against the Chicago White Sox. After losing both games, Houston became the first team in the postseason to finish a multi-game series without leading at the end of a single inning.

OptaSTATS highlighted the unusual achievement on X, noting that Chicago became the first team in MLB history to hold the lead at the end of every inning in a multi-game postseason series.

The statistic reflected Houston’s struggles throughout the series. The Astros were forced to play from behind in both games, unable to overcome Chicago’s early scoring and consistent pressure.

The @whitesox are the first team in MLB history to hold the lead at the end of every single inning of a multi-game postseason series. pic.twitter.com/RL314QHeW2
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) October 1, 2026

The White Sox opened Game 1 with an early advantage and secured a 6-3 victory. Houston faced an even steeper challenge in Game 2 after Chicago scored four runs in the first inning against Hunter Brown.

Brown lasted just two-thirds of an inning, allowing five hits and four runs, three of them earned. The Astros’ defense also contributed to the difficult start with two errors that made the deficit harder to overcome.

Houston briefly threatened to change the momentum through solo home runs from Jose Altuve, Jeremy Peña and Cam Smith. Their power display cut Chicago’s lead to 4-3 by the fourth inning.

Chicago White Sox manager Will Venable (1) Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

However, the Astros could not complete the comeback. Bryan Abreu surrendered a three-run homer to Chase Meidroth in the sixth, extending the White Sox’s lead and putting the game out of reach.

The 7-3 defeat completed Chicago’s sweep and ended Houston’s season. The Astros had reached the postseason for the ninth time in 10 years, but their campaign ended without a series victory.

For Chicago, the sweep delivered a memorable milestone and another opportunity to extend its postseason run. For Houston, the historic statistic offered a frustrating summary of a series in which it never managed to take control.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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