Chicago White Sox: Dylan Cease should be the starter on Sunday

The Chicago White Sox are down 0-2 in the American League Division Series. There were a lot of things that contributed to that but it isn’t important anymore. They are now going forward needing to win their next three games. Luckily, the next two are at home so if they win those they can take their chances in a road game five.

Houston has been Chicago’s house of horrors this season as the White Sox are now 0-6 in that building this season. However, the White Sox have the best home record in the American League this year and are hoping they can recreate that in the playoffs.

In order to do so, they need their starter to be on fire. That decision of who it is has yet to be announced. Dusty Baker already announced that Luis Garcia is the man for Houston on Sunday in Chicago. If Tony La Russa was smart, he would use Dylan Cease against him.

Cease has been amazing in 2021 and he has been particularly good at home. Lucas Giolito and Lance Lynn weren’t their normal dominant selves in Houston so it would be nice to see Cease pick them up in Chicago. It would be his first career playoff start if afforded the opportunity.

Dylan Cease needs to be the starter for the Chicago White Sox on Sunday night.

The debate comes in when you discuss Cease against Carlos Rodon. Both have been dominant at different points of the season but Rodon has dealt with recent arm soreness and fatigue. Because of that, he hasn’t pitched as much down the stretch. Cease, on the other hand, is the only White Sox starter to make all 32 of his starts.

Cease uses a variety of pitches, including a really hard fastball, to get lots of swings and misses. He could be very effective against a very good Houston Astros team. Their contact rate is incredible and Cease might be the guy to help shut that down. With the home-field advantage, it is clearly the better decision.

If a fourth game is needed on Monday, you could decide between Rodon and everybody else available then but Cease needs to be the guy in this one. Michael Kopech is also available so you can pair him with Cease if needed. Both of them should be able to get the lead to Liam Hendriks as long as the offense does their job.

It hasn’t been easy so far in this postseason but the White Sox needs to empty the tank. This will be their last game if they don’t win so it is time to do everything they can. With Cease on the mound, they would be giving themselves the best chance to win.