AJ Blubaugh will become the first rookie to open Game 1 of a postseason series in Astros history when Houston faces Chicago on Tuesday. The right-hander led Major League Baseball with 27 relief appearances of at least two innings this season—the most by an Astros pitcher since Dave Veres in 1995—and has faced the White Sox three times this year without allowing a run.
The Astros needed to deploy six pitchers across nine innings in Sunday's 9-0 clinching win over Oakland, leaving several arms rested for the series opener. Closer Josh Hader hasn't pitched since Wednesday, and reliever Bryan Abreu last threw Thursday, giving Houston depth in the bullpen. Ace Hunter Brown will start Game 2 on Wednesday on normal rest, with right-hander Hayden Wesneski available for a potential Game 3 on Thursday.
The White Sox countered by stacking their lineup with left-handed hitters to exploit an Astros bullpen light on left-handed options. Colson Montgomery, who hit .099 in September after belting 31 home runs in his first full season, is batting ninth for the first time in 2026. Manager Will Venable said he will consider intentionally walking AL MVP candidate Yordan Alvarez in certain situations and has pinch-hit options including Randal Grichuk and Tommy Pham ready if needed.