Level 1 — Absolute Beginner

The White Sox played the Guardians on Monday, October 5. It was Game 2 of a playoff series.

The White Sox won 4 to 3. Braden Montgomery hit a big double in the sixth inning. It gave his team the lead.

Now the White Sox lead the series 2 to 0. They need one more win to go to the next round.

playoff

A game after the season to find the best team.

series

A group of games between two teams.

inning

One part of a baseball game.

double

A hit that lets a player reach second base.

lead

To be ahead.

round

One step in a contest.

win

To get the best score.

hit

To strike a ball with a bat.

Level 2 — Elementary

The Chicago White Sox beat the Cleveland Guardians 4 to 3 on Monday in Game 2 of the American League Division Series. Chicago now leads the best-of-five series 2 to 0 and is one win away from the American League Championship Series.

The game turned in the sixth inning. Braden Montgomery lined a two-run double down the right-field line to give the White Sox the lead. Then reliever Sean Burke gave up just one hit in 5 and a third innings to protect it.

Cleveland starter Gavin Williams struck out 11 batters, but his team could not hold on after the bullpen allowed the go-ahead runs. The Guardians now face a hard task: they must win three games in a row to stay alive.

division series

The first round of the baseball playoffs after the wild card.

go-ahead runs

The points that put a team in front.

reliever

A pitcher who comes into the game after the starter.

starter

The pitcher who begins the game.

struck out

Got a batter out with three strikes.

bullpen

The group of relief pitchers.

protect

Keep safe.

alive

Still in the contest.

Level 3 — Intermediate

Braden Montgomery lined a two-run double down the right-field line in the sixth inning on Monday, lifting the Chicago White Sox to a 4 to 3 victory over the Cleveland Guardians and a 2 to 0 lead in their American League Division Series. One more win would send Chicago to the American League Championship Series.

Cleveland had every reason to feel good about its starter. Gavin Williams struck out 11 and kept the White Sox in check for most of his outing, but the Chicago lineup finally broke through once the Guardians turned to their bullpen, scoring the decisive runs on Montgomery's blow.

The White Sox then leaned on a stellar relief performance. Sean Burke allowed only one hit across 5 and a third innings, helping Chicago protect the lead. In a short series, that kind of length from a reliever can save an entire bullpen.

For Cleveland, the mathematics are unforgiving. The Guardians must now win three straight games to avoid elimination, a feat that is possible in baseball but far from likely.

lined

Hit a ball hard on a straight path.

in check

Under control.

lineup

The batters who play for a team in order.

decisive

Deciding the result.

stellar

Excellent.

intact

Not damaged or lost.

elimination

Being knocked out of a contest.

feat

An impressive achievement.

Level 4 — Advanced

Braden Montgomery's two-run double down the right-field line in the sixth inning supplied the go-ahead runs on Monday as the Chicago White Sox rallied past the Cleveland Guardians, 4 to 3, and seized a 2 to 0 lead in their American League Division Series. Chicago now stands one victory from the American League Championship Series.

The comeback was all the more notable because Cleveland right-hander Gavin Williams had been dominant, piling up 11 strikeouts and denying the White Sox clean looks at the plate. Yet baseball in October punishes the moment a starter departs, and Chicago pounced on the Guardians' relievers.

Equally important was the work of Sean Burke, who surrendered a single hit across 5 and a third innings of relief. Such length is the currency of a short series, because it spares a manager from burning through high-leverage arms before the next game, and it let Chicago protect a slender margin without scrambling.

Cleveland's position is now precarious. No team enters a best-of-five series hoping to need three consecutive wins, and the Guardians must produce them while their bullpen's earlier lapse hangs over the rest of the series.

go-ahead

Putting a team in front for the first time.

seized

Took firmly.

dominant

Clearly the strongest.

pounced

Took quick advantage of.

surrendered

Gave up.

high-leverage

Very important to the outcome.

slender

Small or narrow.

precarious

Dangerously uncertain.