White Sox Expect Electric Home Crowd for ALDS Game 3

Major League Baseball has seen its fair share of electric playoff atmospheres, but rarely is the anticipation for a game and its crowd as high as it is for Wednesday’s Game 3 of the ALDS between the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Guardians.

The league dropped the ball by not putting this one in prime time. Let’s just call a spade a spade.

Down 2-0 and pushed to the brink of elimination, the New York Yankees were still given the prime time slot. Meanwhile, the White Sox, who have an opportunity to clinch a postseason series in front of their home fans for the first time in 120 years, were handed a 3 p.m. start.

But don’t let that fool you. Rate Field is going to be rocking.

Tickets have been sold out for weeks, and the get-in price is the highest of any postseason game thus far. The blackout is back, too, as White Sox fans embrace the franchise’s signature playoff theme.

For those attending Game 3, the atmosphere is half the appeal. Yes, it’s an opportunity to support this White Sox team in the postseason and potentially witness a feat 120 years in the making. But there’s something special about knowing you’ll help create the atmosphere that makes the moment unforgettable.

It’s about being together as White Sox fans. It’s about experiencing something in the stands that has only come around once in a blue moon for this franchise. And that excitement has made its way to the players on the field.

After Monday’s Game 2 win over the Guardians, the White Sox return home with a 2-0 series advantage. Now, the homecoming awaiting them has become a clubhouse conversation.

Just ask right-handed pitcher Davis Martin.

“It’s all we are talking about. We are about to go back to a zoo.”

Martin isn’t alone. From catcher Kyle Teel to pitcher Sean Burke and third baseman Miguel Vargas, White Sox players have offered their own perspectives on the home-field advantage awaiting them on the South Side.

“We're expecting the most rowdy crowd I've ever played before in my entire life,” said Burke. “Our fans are the best. I think even you see it on the road here, just how many Sox fans are in attendance tonight. I heard our ticket sale and ticket prices are the highest in the DS series. It's Chicago. It is a sports town and people care. And it is going to be amazing. I can't wait.”

Vargas shared that anticipation. “I think it's going to be unbelievable. I think we're all very excited about it, and we cannot wait to see the whole city of Chicago showing up today and supporting us,” he said.

Teel went as far as to say the White Sox will have an extra player on Wednesday thanks to the fans.

“I'm so grateful. I'm so excited. You know, this is the moment you dream about, being able to play in front of the best fans in baseball,” said Teel. “We almost have like a 10th man on the field. We have the crowd behind us. We know they got our back.”

He’s not wrong about that. Some of the most passionate, rowdiest fan bases are also the most starved for moments like this.

Go to Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, and you won’t notice the difference between October and April....And I don’t mean that as a compliment to April.

The White Sox faithful, though, have been through a lot over the last few years. This team has given them something to embrace beyond those bad memories.

How can you not love and show up for this team? How can you not buy into the chemistry and joy they play with every day?

Towels will wave. The ground will shake. And when the White Sox chase a Guardians pitcher from the game, the serenade of “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” will be heard all the way back in Cleveland.

Game 3 gets underway at 3 p.m. Wednesday. With a win, the White Sox will punch their ticket to the ALCS and guarantee more home games in front of the best atmosphere in baseball.

This fan base has waited a long time for a moment like this. You’re going to hear it.