Hagen Smith gave White Sox what they needed in Game 1

Chicago White Sox pitcher Hagen Smith. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Hagen Smith gave the White Sox exactly what they needed as Game 1 opener

By Alan Rubenstein | Last updated Sep 29, 2026 9:58 PM ET

Rookie Hagen Smith pitched three innings, allowing no runs on two hits with one strikeout in a 6-3 Chicago White Sox win at the Houston Astros in the first game of the wild-card series on Tuesday. Smith was the opener as the White Sox used a bullpen game.

The White Sox led 1-0 before Smith even took the mound. Sam Antonacci earned a leadoff walk and eventually scored on a Munetaka Murakami sacrifice fly. An Antonacci single in the second inning scored Braden Montgomery and Chase Meidroth, to increase the lead to 3-0. A Colson Montgomery home run made it 4-0 White Sox.

Smith was chosen as the White Sox opener after finishing the regular season with three wins, three losses, a 1.29 earned run average, a 0.964 WHIP and 41 strikeouts in 28 innings. Smith started one game during the 2026 regular season.

Smith opened for the White Sox on Sept. 10 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 2.0 innings against Pittsburgh, Smith allowed two hits and three strikeouts in a 2-0 White Sox loss. Smith entered in the fifth inning or later in 15 of his 18 regular-season appearances and finished one game.

Hagen Smith's start: 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, K, 28 of 38 pitches for strikes, 34% called strikes/whiffs. Got Yordan Alvarez out twice.
— James Fegan (@JRFegan) September 29, 2026

Hagen Smith set the tone for the White Sox

Smith set the tone for the White Sox. Jordan Hicks relieved Smith and retired all three batters he faced. A Meidroth infield single in the fifth inning scored Murakami, extending the White Sox's lead to 5-0. Sean Newcombe allowed a two-run HR to pinch hitter Nelson Velazquez in the bottom of the fifth, putting Houston on the board.

David Sandlin relieved Newcomb and retired four of the five batters he faced, allowing one walk. White Sox closer Grant Taylor pitched 2.1 innings, allowing two hits and an unearned run with a walk and five strikeouts. Taylor had some shaky moments, but he ultimately secured the win for the White Sox.

The White Sox used five pitchers and eight appeared for Houston in a bullpen game for both teams. Sean Burke is starting for the White Sox in Game 2, and Hunter Brown starts for Houston as both teams are throwing their aces. The Astros and White Sox bullpens will be an area to watch in Game 2.

Alan Rubenstein

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