Members of the White Sox regular-season starting rotation have lived an alien existence through the postseason.
“We sit together,” right-hander Erick Fedde told the Sun-Times of life in the bullpen. “We’re talking through our feelings and our nerves. The bullpen’s a very different vibe, knowing that we could be called on at any time.”
Davis Martin and Noah Schultz have yet to see a postseason opportunity. But even Sox starters who have gotten a shot have received some unflattering feedback about what matchups the team really thinks they are and aren’t great options to handle.
“I’ve had a lot of conversations, recently even, with guys,” manager Will Venable said. “It’s OK for you to be upset that I’m taking you out of the game. If you were cool with it, then we have a problem. If you didn’t think you could get this guy out, then we have a whole other issue.”
The Sox only have had a traditional start in four postseason games thus far, and Sean Newcomb opening Game 3 of the American League Division Series on Wednesday will make it one in five. Sean Burke is the only Sox starter who has worked in a bulk role, and he needed his 5⅓ innings behind an opener in Game 2 to take the team lead in postseason innings from closer Grant Taylor.
It’s a new paradigm from the postseason pitching heroics most grew up romanticizing, it’s aesthetically displeasing. It’s also, obviously, been effective. The Sox are undefeated in the postseason and have allowed seven earned runs in four games. But rather than trumpet their innovative approach to postseason pitching management, they’re playing the hand they’ve been dealt.
“I can’t say that I wouldn’t enjoy having five starters that can provide seven, eight innings,” general manager Chris Getz said. “That’s not how we’re set up. Was that fully by design? Not necessarily. It was just leaning into our strengths.”
The Sox’ bullpen is a strength, their rotation less so. A battle of rotations against the Guardians wouldn’t favor them, and a schedule full of off days has allowed them to avoid it. So, they have.
At least everyone was warned, as much as was possible.
“There was talk of some potential for opening, starting, late-leverage, middle bridge guy,” Newcomb said of his preseason understanding of his role. “I guess I’m surprised it maintained being all of it, all year.”
Change is coming
However, Wednesday is potentially the start of three games in four days for the Sox. Newcomb is opening Game 3 — reliever Daniel Espino is also opening for the Guardians — but Venable acknowledged the schedule could force the return of more traditional-looking outings from familiar sources of innings.
“Having off days in between these first three games [of the ALDS], that allowed us to do some things, and that is not going to be the case anymore,” Venable said. “We’re going to see some arms [in Game 3] potentially that we haven’t seen yet in this series or even in the playoffs.”
Mune loves Will
Venable’s substantive conversations with his All-Star first baseman Munetaka Murakami still occur through interpreter Kenzo Yagi, yet the Japanese slugger still praises him for his communication skills.
“I just love him as a person, and I’m really happy that he’s my manager,” Murakami said via interpreter. “That’s pretty much what I feel about Will.”