Where to watch White Sox vs. Astros Wild Card Game 1 for free today

The Houston Astros host the Chicago White Sox in Game 1 of their MLB Wild Card series Tuesday at 5 p.m. ET. The game will air on NBC Sports Network, which you can stream free on DIRECTV.

Tonight’s matchup: Chicago White Sox (84-78) vs. Houston Astros (81-81)

When: Tuesday, Sep. 29, 5 p.m. ET

TV Channel: NBC Sports Network

Stream: DIRECTV (free trial), FuboTV (free trial), Peacock

DIRECTV (free trial) and FuboTV (free trial) both offer NBC Sports Network for virtually the same price. Fubo’s “Pro” package costs $88.99, while DIRECTV’s “Entertainment” package is $89.99. Both options offer a free trial and money off the first month of subscription. Your free trial will start once you create an account.

One of the most surprising matchups of the opening round of the postseason begins Tuesday when the Chicago White Sox visit the Houston Astros in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series at Daikin Park.

The White Sox are one of baseball’s best turnaround stories. After losing 121 games in 2024 and 102 more in 2025, Chicago rebounded to an 84-78 record and a postseason berth behind a young core that includes rookie slugger Munetaka Murakami and third baseman Miguel Vargas. Murakami launched 35 home runs in his first MLB season, while Vargas added 33 homers, 93 RBIs and 101 walks.

Houston arrives with far more October experience, but this Astros team took an unconventional path to the playoffs. The Astros captured the AL West with an 81-81 record, finishing one game ahead of Texas despite posting a negative run differential. Still, they remain dangerous because of a lineup anchored by Yordan Alvarez, who hit .316 with 42 home runs and led the majors in on-base percentage (.432) and slugging percentage (.604).

The Astros won five of seven meetings against Chicago during the regular season and will lean on that familiarity. The White Sox, meanwhile, are making their first playoff appearance since 2021 and returning to Houston, the site of their ALDS loss that year.

For a young Chicago club facing one of the American League’s most accomplished franchises, Tuesday offers a chance to prove its remarkable resurgence is only beginning.

Joey Aliberti is a Sports Commerce Reporter for syracuse.com | The Post-Standard, covering sports, TV, streaming and tickets for teams including the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, New York Giants, New York...

This article was produced with assistance from AI tools and reviewed by Syracuse.com staff.