AL DIVISION SERIES: WHITE SOX VS GUARDIANS

October 5, 2026

Sean Burke

Progressive Field

Chicago White Sox

Postgame 2 Press Conference

White Sox 4 - Guardians 3

Q. Bove was just in here (indiscernible)?

SEAN BURKE: Yeah. I felt pretty good with everything tonight. I think the game plan we had coming in as far as how we attack was good. I think we executed for the most part.

I think the stuff right out the gate was a little down because our original plan going into the game was a little hairy in the first inning. In the second inning, I was able to kind of find my groove, and I felt the stuff ticked up a little bit.

But, yeah, I think once I threw that second, third inning, I thought the fastball was really good. I was getting good swings against it in terms of they were really getting the heat on it. So using that other stuff to get in the zone to get ahead of the other guys and using the curve balls and fast balls to finish the guys off.

Q. What's it been like these first two games? The Guardians are a very scrappy, hitting type of team. Why have you guys been so successful?

SEAN BURKE: I think their game plan has been really good. I've tried to play attention to some of the stuff they're doing. I think they've made comments about how throwing a bunch of different pitches out there, make it a little bit tougher for them. Me personally, it is just kind of the game plan of how to attack with what I have got. Sticking with the strengths and kind of just being creative.

Q. How do you go through the routine of getting ready for an outing differently when you're the starter versus when you're coming in? How does that mentally feel different?

SEAN BURKE: Yeah, today was really weird. I've not been in this situation before. So it was me and kind of guys who have done it, talking with Sean Newcomb, talking with the bullpen coach.

Q. As a teammate, how do you observe what Grant Taylor has done coming back after a short rest?

SEAN BURKE: He's a dog, man. I'm out of words to describe him. I was talking to him the other day, me and him, when he had Tommy John, and I had the shoulder issue. I have kind of watched his growth from when he was 21-22 years old to what he is now. You see the work he puts in and how serious he takes his craft. It's amazing. I don't have enough positive words to describe Taylor.

Q. Guys played three in the top six. How crucial is this shot?

SEAN BURKE: That was everything for me just watching knowing how much those guys were fighting that and then get to the bullpen early.

My job there is to stop their momentum. And I feel for me personally in my head, that was the biggest inning of the game for me. Going out there, one, two, three. Couple strike outs was huge.

Q. Tell me if I was seeing things, but you had a big smile on your face when Sam Antonocci had a low liner out there and made some big plays for you guys. What is it like for you guys to see him in that spot?

SEAN BURKE: He carries a ton. I know that is a new position for him. We have been working on it every single day to be the best he can in that position. There was a game back in Detroit, ball kind of hit off his glove and ended up being a homer while he was pitching. I was kind of teasing him for that, calling him out for that.

For him to be out there and making plays and doing all of that is really cool. It is a huge adjustment to come as a rookie at the plate and show and top of that to play in a position he has never played before. The way he has been able to handle that in strides is impressive.

Q. Sean, we talked about the guys in the clubhouse, but going back home now, you are up 2-0, you have a fanbase that has kind of got behind you, especially what they have seen in years prior.

What kind of crowd are you expecting?

SEAN BURKE: We're expecting the most rowdy crowd I've ever played before in my entire life. Obviously I am fortunate, I wouldn't be able to probably get there on Wednesday, but either way it is going to feel good.

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.

Q. The only time the White Sox have ever clinched a playoff series at home was 1996 World Series?

SEAN BURKE: We are due for some playoff baseball.

Q. We talked about Grant earlier, how much does it add to the enjoyment of this experience that so many guys that came into the farm system together, I wonder do you have other stories of guys you played with at the lower levels that stuck with you and now you get a chance to celebrate big wins with them?

SEAN BURKE: Grant, Vargas have a special bond, we came up. I came up in 2024. He came over around same the time. I think we're going to hang out together. He's kind of been on the same path as I have been. And Montgomery has been one of my best friends, not just been on the team, but in life.

We've lived together for the last five, six years in the off season, trained together in the off season. So I've said it before, I feel like we go though Club A, we play in the minor leagues, and it feels like you kind of pick your people that you end of being friends with on your team. With this team, I feel like I just picked all my friends and made a baseball team.

Q. You mentioned just the opportunity to put a team on the brink of elimination. Now you've done that. How does that feel?

SEAN BURKE: It feels good. We got one more win. You can't take your foot off the gas. It's a good team over there. So we'll be ready to go on Wednesday.