With White Sox-Guardians series scheduled to start in daylight, Blackout Game might be tough

The White Sox can have another Blackout Game, but it might have to start in daylight.

MLB released the entire schedule for the divisional round of the playoffs Thursday. Games 3 and 4 of the Sox’ series against the Guardians at Rate Field are scheduled for 3 p.m. Wednesday and 4 next Thursday, respectively. That doesn’t make for prime blackout conditions, at least not until sunset around 6:30. If Game 4 is the only game that day, it will start at 7, offering some hope.

Games 1 and 2 in Cleveland are set for noon Saturday and 4 p.m. Monday, respectively. If necessary, Game 5 is scheduled for 4 p.m. Oct. 10 in Cleveland. If it’s the only Game 5 that day, it will start at 7. All games will air on TBS and truTV and streaming service HBO Max. Alex Faust, analyst Ron Darling and reporter Lauren Jbara will call it.

Sox-Guardians games are scheduled to be the first games each day they’re played, a sure sign that the league and networks have more desirable games later. The Rays-Yankees series, for example, has Games 2-5 scheduled for prime time at 7 p.m.

The Sox’ first Blackout Game was the tiebreaker against the Twins for the 2008 American League Central title. Jim Thome’s solo home run in the seventh inning was the only run of the game. The Sox brought the blackout back for Game 3 of the 2021 AL Division Series against the Astros, igniting a raucous crowd that saw the Sox win 12-6.