Rays, White Sox each take 2-0 series leads in best-of-5 ALDS

Richie Palacios hit a two-run single in a four-run fifth inning and the host Tampa Bay Rays took advantage of New York's sloppy defence, beating Cam Schlittler and the Yankees 5-2 on Monday night to take a 2-0 lead in their AL Division Series.

The Rays are one victory from reaching the American League Championship Series. Game 3 in the best-of-five playoff is Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium.

Ben Rice hit a pair of homers for the Yankees, who are on the verge of elimination — which would extend their World Series drought to 17 seasons. They were dominated by Drew Rasmussen in the series opener and have scored just two runs in two games with three-time AL MVP Aaron Judge out of the lineup due to a calf injury.

The small-ball Rays chased Schlittler, the likely AL Cy Young Award winner, in the fifth aided by New York's defensive miscues.

Yankees LHP Max Fried (5-5, 2.80 ERA) and Rays RHP Nick Martinez (15-6, 3.10) are the projected starters for Game 3.

Braden Montgomery lined a two-run double down the right-field line, Sean Burke allowed one hit in 5 1/3 innings of splendid relief and the Chicago White Sox beat the Cleveland Guardians 4-3 to take a 2-0 lead in their AL Division Series.

The surprising White Sox are one win from advancing to the American League Championship Series for the first time since winning the World Series in 2005. Chicago became the first team to reach the postseason after three straight 100-loss seasons, including a post-1900 record 121 in 2024.

Jo Adell hit an RBI triple in the eighth and Chase DeLauter had two hits for the Guardians.

Gavin Williams struck out 11, tied for second-most in a Cleveland postseason game. But the offence failed to produce for the second straight game.

Grant Taylor worked