The White Sox won their season series (seven games to six) against the division rival Guardians. But couldn’t hold them off in a late-September three-game set at Cleveland, or the American League Central standings as the Guardians won 24 of their last 34 games.
“It’s going to be one to remember,” reliever Grant Taylor said to the Sun-Times about this weekend’s ALDS matchup. “We’re going to go in and try to win two games at their place.”
It’s a playoff showdown that feels inevitable because the regular-season battle feels unresolved. Are the standings flipped if the fly ball Guardians infielder Brayan Rocchio lifted off Taylor found Sam Antonacci’s glove? Or was the level of baseball Cleveland reached down the stretch simply a cut above the rest of the division?
“We can beat Cleveland,” said general manager Chris Getz. “We’ve proven that we can. But they are definitely a team that’s been here before, and we respect them.”
The sides have disparate strengths.
The Sox followed up leading the AL in runs scored by chasing two Astros starters before they could complete the first inning, whereas the Guardians’ offense finished 11th, even with a late-season kick.
The Guardians flaunt a deep rotation and will throw likely AL Cy Young finalist Parker Messick in Game 1, followed by league strikeout leader Gavin Williams in Game 2. The Sox’ reliance on their bullpen will be strained over a best-of-five series and manager Will Venable laughed at the idea of having their Game 1 starter determined during Wednesday’s postgame celebration.
As much as the Sox celebrated guaranteeing a home playoff game by reaching this round, they will need to win at Progressive Field to advance, where they dropped four of seven in the regular season. It’s always the slimmest margin between these two.
But where the White Sox’ strong first half was reliant on dominance at home to offset struggles on the road, a postseason triumph in Houston has them feeling differently.
“All we need is our dugout,” said shortstop Colson Montgomery. “We love our fans and we love everyone that comes and travels and supports us. But it’s about our dugout. We need each other and believe in each other.”
Hicks on a heater
Houston native Jordan Hicks was letter-perfect pitching in his hometown, retiring all 10 Astros he faced over his two Wild Card series appearances, striking out four.
After a rocky start to the year, Hicks raised his arm slot while sidelined with a lat strain, and found it restored the riding action on his four-seam fastball. His sinker also sinks less in turn, but forcing hitters to guess between two different types of triple-digit fastballs offset the loss.
Moreover, the newfound consistency of his delivery at this release point has made him a reliable option.
“I’m in a better position just throwing strikes at 100 to 102 mph versus trying to reach back for 103, 104 mph and then kind of spraying it a little bit, losing the feel,” Hicks said.
Being able to dial down to just 102 mph is a good place to be.
ABS wizardry
The White Sox preach being aggressive on challenges with the automated ball and strikes system (ABS), and are prouder of leading MLB in challenge rate than worried about being worst in success rate.
Catcher Kyle Teel balanced both in Houston, going 5-for-5 on challenges over two games.