The postseason got underway for the Chicago White Sox in Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the Houston Astros.
Here are three things we learned Thursday at Minute Maid Park.
1. ‘Painful’ roster decisions for the Sox included placing Dallas Keuchel on the taxi squad.
Keuchel was the odd pitcher out after the Sox released their 26 player roster for the ALDS.
Keuchel wasn’t as consistent this season as he has been. After going 6-2 with a 1.99 ERA and finishing fifth in American League Cy Young Award voting in 2020, he went 9-9 with a 5.28 ERA in 32 games (30 starts) in 2021.
The Sox contemplated using Keuchel in a relief role, and he allowed three runs in two-thirds of an inning out of the bullpen Saturday against the Detroit Tigers, but they ultimately placed him on the taxi squad.
“Part of it is it’s the best-of-five (series), not the best-of-seven, that explains some of the pitching decisions,” Sox manager Tony La Russa said before Game 1. “Player decisions, that was a tough call. So we ended up putting (Danny) Mendick on the roster. He’s so versatile. We thought we needed the protection because they’re liable to play anywhere and everywhere.
“I’ll just tell you it’s painful because there are some guys disappointed not to be on it. Some guys are happy to be on it. Like I said in the beginning, and I’ll say it again, getting here was filled with contributions from guys who are not on the roster.”
Keuchel, who won 2015 AL Cy Young Award winner with the Astros, signed a three-year, $55.5 million deal with the Sox before the 2020 season. The contract includes a team option for 2023. He started Game 2 of the wild-card series last season against the Oakland Athletics, allowing five runs (three earned) in 3? innings in a 5-3 loss.
The playoff roster includes 12 pitchers and 14 position players.
2. Carlos Rodón had a ‘really good’ bullpen session.
Sox pitching coach Ethan Katz said starter Rodón is “feeling better and better” and the left-hander had a “really good” bullpen session before Game 1.
“We’re really excited with how that went and we’ll see how he feels (Friday) and play it day by day,” Katz said.
The Sox still are uncertain of the plan for Game 3.
“Just want to keep our options open, and we’ll see what happens the first two games how we go into the last three,” La Russa said. “The point is there’s still a possibility that he could pitch for us, so we want to keep that alive.”
Rodón allowed one hit in five shutout innings in his final start of the regular season Sept. 29 against the Cincinnati Reds. That was his first outing since lasting only three innings and throwing 69 pitches Sept. 20 against the Tigers at Comerica Park. He exited that game with what he called “normal soreness.”
Katz said highlights of the bullpen session included “throwing the ball, his body was moving efficiently, all the shapes of his pitches looked good.”
“It was a really encouraging step for him, and for us,” Katz said.
3. Lucas Giolito looks to build off his strong second half in Game 2.
Sox starter Lucas Giolito said he wasn’t as nervous heading into his start for Game 2 as he was preparing for Game 1 last season in the wild-card series against the Athletics.
“The nerves ended up working in my favor (last season), kept me focused,” Giolito said. “But having experience in anything is going to make you more prepared for the next time you do it.
“That was a good one. I’m looking forward to having another good one (Friday).”
Giolito took a perfect game into the seventh inning against the A’s before allowing a single, and he allowed one run on two hits in seven-plus innings in a 4-1 win.
He’ll enter Friday after a strong second half during which he had a 2.65 ERA in 13 starts.
“During the All-Star break, I really took some time to refresh, and then I came back a lot more focused on each and every start, my preparation,” Giolito said. “Top to bottom, scouting reports, knowing what I should be doing in any given situation, how I should be pitching, and then tightening up some things, especially the breaking balls, and that definitely made a huge difference.”
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