Grant Taylor matches rare MLB history in win over Guardians

Chicago White Sox pitcher Grant Taylor. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

White Sox's Grant Taylor matches rare MLB history in win over Guardians

By Steven Kubitza | Last updated Oct 3, 2026 4:51 PM ET

The Chicago White Sox may be MLB's ultimate Cinderella team this postseason, but that doesn't mean the team endorsed by the Pope is ready to go home any time soon.

The White Sox marched into Cleveland and blanked the Guardians in a dominant 3-0 victory. The Chicago pitching staff allowed a mere three hits, striking out 12.

It was a group effort; however, Grant Taylor stood out as the hero of Game 1. The former second-round pick logged four scoreless innings and matched MLB postseason history in the process.

White Sox pitcher Grant Taylor matches rare MLB history

Taylor struck out six batters in his four innings of work and picked up a save in the process. He is just the sixth pitcher in MLB postseason history to achieve a four-inning save since 1969, per MLB.com's Sarah Langs.

Grant Taylor is just the 6th pitcher to record a 4+ inning save in the #Postseason (since saves became an official stat in 1969)

(h/t @SlangsOnSports) https://t.co/NbNaW2OUUH pic.twitter.com/sD0hcnxDvE
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) October 3, 2026

Taylor absolutely dominated the Guardians lineup and made hitters look foolish with his six strikeouts. He entered the game in the sixth inning after his fellow relievers escaped consecutive bases-loaded jams in the third and fourth innings.

The game ended on a Travis Bazzana check-swing strikeout, summing up the day for both teams.

The White Sox took the lead in the fourth inning with a two-run homer by Munetaka Murakami, who has become a fan favorite this season. Taylor was given an insurance run in the seventh inning, not that he needed it to shut down the Cleveland offense.

The best news for Taylor and the White Sox is the fact that there is an off day on Sunday before Game 2 on Monday. The entire pitching staff can rest, and the team could opt for another reliever-heavy approach given there is also an off day on Tuesday.

The Guardians get the same rest, but the White Sox appear to have all the momentum after a dominant Game 1 win.

Steven Kubitza

Steven Kubitza is a Cleveland, Ohio, native with over a decade in the news industry. His work has been featured on Yahoo Sports, FOX Sports, and FanSided, among other outlets. He is a lifelong Browns fan who is convinced the team will turn things around at some point in the next 50 years

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