The White Sox have announced their playoff roster, featuring a mix of veterans and young talent.
- The White Sox have used an opener 31 times this season, and it's gotten them this far.
- Lefthander Hagen Smith will make his first career postseason start.
- The White Sox are working with the right-handed pitcher AJ Blubaugh.
The White Sox have exactly one day to see how they size up against their Wild Card series opponent in the Houston Astros. The story was first reported by Sports Illustrated.
The Sox have a lineup that can mash against any pitching staff in baseball, which is why they've been able to register victories against both the best and worst opponents.
What's Behind the White Sox' Resurgence?
The White Sox were seven games worse than .500 in mid-April, and at their best were nine games better in late August, spending a total of 96 days atop of the AL Central.
The White Sox still made history with their 84 wins by qualifying for the playoffs after three consecutive 100-loss seasons.
- The White Sox released their playoff roster earlier today, announcing that they will be carrying 12 pitchers, two catchers, five infielders, and seven outfielders.
- The two most notable players who did not make the roster were righthander Trevor Richards, and catcher Drew Romo, who both spent a significant time on the South Side this season and were key contributors.
Who Made the Cut for the White Sox' Playoff Roster?
Jake Rogers will slot in as the backup catcher behind Kyle Teel, and as one of the bigger surprises, Tommy Pham will be joining Chicago rather than adding a 13th pitcher.
The overall thought process behind the opener today is to attempt to shut down the top of the order right off the bat, as the first three hitters for Houston (Jeremy Peña, Yordan Alvarez, and Isaac Paredes) all have weaker splits against left-handed pitchers compared to righties.
Can the Opener Strategy Pay Off Against the Astros?
Recency bias also doesn't help defend the opener, as we've had a couple of brutal outings recently with Chris Murphy and Bryan Hudson.
After Smith, it's probable that righthander Erick Fedde will take over as the bulk pitcher, and he has been one of the more consistent arms that the Sox have had down the stretch.
It's worth noting that the White Sox have been using the opener strategy throughout the season, and it's been a key factor in their success. According to data from FanGraphs, the White Sox have used the opener 31 times this season, and it's gotten them this far. The strategy has been effective in shutting down the top of the order, and it's likely that they'll continue to use it in the playoffs.
The White Sox' bullpen has been a strength all season, and it's likely that they'll be able to get the job done in the playoffs. However, the opener strategy will be put to the test in their Wild Card series against the Houston Astros. The Astros have a potent offense, and the White Sox will need to be able to shut them down if they want to advance.
Sources
- Sports Illustrated: 3 Astros Relievers the White Sox Hope to See Early in the Wild Card Series
- Yahoo Sports: Game Thread: White Sox at Astros, AL Wild Card Game 1
