Chicago White Sox

Two of the top offensive units in baseball will compete in the NLDS when the Chicago White Sox return to the postseason after a 162-game campaign for the first time in 13 years to battle perennial contenders the Houston Astros.

The White Sox rank seventh in the majors in offense, and while that would be good enough to make them a favorite to outhit their opponent in just about any other series, they run into an Astros club that ranks second overall.

It might come down to pitching, ironically enough, as both squads boast the best ERA in the AL (White Sox: 3.57; Astros: 3.60), per Astros beat writer Brian McTaggart. Whichever team can slow the other, even in the slightest, should be able to control the momentum of the series and finish the other out.

AL ERA leaders in in 2021 (starting pitching):

1. White Sox 3.57
2. Astros 3.60

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) October 4, 2021

That the Astros have the postseason experience they do and any number of quality batters able to hit one out of the park in crucial situations makes them an incredibly difficult out. Chicago will have the first chance to eliminate them, beginning Thursday.

                      

Television Schedule

Thursday, Oct. 7: White Sox at Astros, Game One, Time TBD (MLB Network/FS1)

Friday, Oct. 8: White Sox at Astros, Game Two, Time TBD (MLB Network/FS1)

Sunday, Oct. 10: Astros at White Sox, Game Three, Time TBD (MLB Network/FS1)

Monday, Oct. 11: Astros at White Sox, Game Four, Time TBD (MLB Network/FS1)*

Wednesday, Oct. 13: White Sox at Astros, Game Five, Time TBD (MLB Network/FS1)*

*If necessary.

                 

A Series 16 Years in the Making

The Houston Astros are no strangers to the postseason. World Series champions in 2017, they have won four of the past five AL West titles and captured the wild card in 2020. Their resume is not without blemishes, but few teams have been as consistent a part of the playoff picture as the Astros in recent years.

The White Sox's last major victory in the postseason? A 2005 World Series win. The opponent? Houston, in a 4-0 sweep.

While this series does not have quite as much at stake as their most recent postseason showdown, and both teams are now in the AL, it is an opportunity for the Astros to avenge that one-sided defeat.

For the White Sox, it is a chance to send Houston packing and record a first postseason series victory since they won it all 16 years ago.

Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson has been suspended three games and fined for making contact with an umpire while coming to his teammate's defense in Monday's game against the Detroit Tigers.

Anderson appealed the fine and will be eligible to play until an arbitrator rules on his case. 

Tempers flared when White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu was hit by a pitch in the top of the ninth inning. Benches cleared after Abreu slid hard into second, where shortstop Niko Goodrum was covering, while attempting to steal on the next pitch. Video of the incident does not show Anderson anywhere near umpire Tim Timmons, so it's unclear what led to the punishment. 

The suspension will not impact Anderson's postseason eligibility, and any ruling is unlikely to come down before the end of the 2021 regular season. The White Sox, who have clinched the AL Central, have four games remaining in their season.

Anderson is in the midst of perhaps his best MLB campaign, hitting .301/.330/.458 with 16 home runs and 58 RBI while stealing 18 bases. He's also been a vocal leader for a White Sox team that has designs on competing for a World Series championship.

That competitive nature has sometimes gotten the best of him, as Anderson was ejected from a game last week for shouting from the dugout at umpire Angel Hernandez.

The White Sox will need him to keep his composure in the postseason and avoid any mistakes that could hurt the club's title chances. 

The Chicago White Sox earned a road win over the Detroit Tigers 8-7 on Monday in a makeup game from September 22. The American League Central division champs held off a late rally by the Tigers to secure the win.

The White Sox used a six-run fourth inning to jump out to an early lead. Eloy Jimenez added a two-run homer in the seventh.

Hi, Mom! Bye, baseball!@The_bigbaby74 | @NBCSChicago pic.twitter.com/RgmjwrYJ6U

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) September 27, 2021

Detroit came out with five runs in the eighth inning to make it a one-run game. 

There was a benches-clearing incident in the top of the ninth when White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu slid hard into second while attempting to advance after a pitch in the dirt was blocked. Abreu had been hit by a pitch by Tigers reliever Alex Lange. There weren't any ejections from the incident, but both benches were warned.

We’ve got cleared benches in Detroit 👀

(via @NBCSWhiteSox) pic.twitter.com/R9CcbZ7X3H

— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) September 27, 2021

Chicago closer Liam Hendriks shut the door in the ninth to stave off Detroit's comeback attempt.

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Notable Performers

White Sox LF Eloy Jimenez: 3-for-4, 2-run HR, 2 R

White Sox C Zack Collins: 2-for-3, double, 2 RBI, R

Tigers 1B Jonathan Schoop: 2-for-4, solo HR, 2 RBI

Tigers SS Niko Goodrum: 1-for-3, triple, 2 RBI, 2 R

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Keuchel Continues to be Steady

Dallas Keuchel had his third straight start allowing two or fewer earned runs. Prior to this run, Keuchel had four straight starts with five or more earned runs.

Keuchel started the season with a 6-1 record. After Monday's win, he is 9-9 in 2021. The 2015 AL Cy Young winner will need to be in top form at the back end of the starting rotation for the White Sox to make a run in the playoffs.

Dallas Keuchel went 5 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, HR, 52 of 91 pitches for strikes, with 10 swinging strikes.

He finishes the regular season with a 5.13 ERA in 161.1 IP

— James Fegan (@JRFegan) September 27, 2021

Starting pitcher Carlos Rodon has been dealing with arm soreness and was removed from his outing last Monday after just three innings. Rodon is scheduled to start Wednesday against the Cincinnati Reds in what would be his last opportunity to test his arm before the postseason.

The White Sox are also monitoring starter Dylan Cease, who was hit in his pitching arm by a comebacker on Friday. The team said Cease has a right triceps contusion and X-rays came back negative.

Keuchel's recent run of success should inspire confidence from the team. Keuchel looks to be ready if he's called on to move up in the rotation.

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Matt Manning Doomed by Lack of Control

Tigers starter Matt Manning gave up six earned runs on four hits and five walks in the loss. He struggled with control for most of the day, throwing just 46 strikes in 82 pitches.

Things fell apart for Manning in the fourth inning. He had thrown 24 pitches in the second and third innings combined but labored in the fourth with 33 pitches before being pulled from the game.

Matt Manning across 3.1 innings today:

First inning: 25 pitches.
Second inning: 13 pitches.
Third inning: 11 pitches.
Fourth inning: 33 pitches.

— Evan Petzold (@EvanPetzold) September 27, 2021

After surrendering a solo home run to Yasmani Grandal, Manning allowed three consecutive walks and then gave up back-to-back two-run hits.

https://twitter.com/whitesox/status/1442559685215735812

Entering Monday's game, Manning had three straight starts with three or fewer earned runs. His ERA on the season ballooned to 6.16 after the loss. He will have one more chance to turn things around, as he is scheduled to start against the White Sox again on Saturday in the second game of their three-game season-ending series. 

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What's Next?

The White Sox return home Tuesday for a two-game series against the Cincinnati Reds. Reynaldo Lopez will take the mound against Riley O'Brien. The Tigers begin a three-game tilt against the Minnesota Twins with Tyler Alexander scheduled to make the start.

The Chicago White Sox clinched the American League Central title for the first time since 2008 with a 7-2 win over the Cleveland Indians on Thursday in Game 1 of a road doubleheader.

Star shortstop Tim Anderson got things going with a leadoff home run, and the White Sox never looked back.

TIM ANDERSON! LET'S GO! pic.twitter.com/XPDzRwrdkd

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) September 23, 2021

Chicago (86-66) exploded for six runs in the second inning. Luis Robert and Eloy Jimenez hit back-to-back solo home runs. Anderson followed up with his second homer of the day, a three-run blast. Robert then added an RBI single.

There's ✨ magic ✨ in the air today!#ChangeTheGame | @NBCSChicago pic.twitter.com/ZoIF2fKxSX

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) September 23, 2021

The White Sox also celebrated a milestone Thursday as Cesar Hernandez notched his 1,000th career hit.

Austin Hedges and Bobby Bradley each hit solo home runs for Cleveland. The second-place Indians fell to 74-77 on the season.

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Notable Performers

White Sox SS Tim Anderson: 3-for-4, 2 HRs, 4 RBI, 2 R

White Sox CF Luis Robert: 2-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, R

White Sox 2B Cesar Hernandez: 3-for-3, R

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Looking Ahead to the Playoffs

Chicago's latest victory was a promising sign for a team that is preparing for October baseball.

Entering Thursday, the White Sox had been held to three runs or fewer in five of their past seven contests, a stretch that saw the team go 2-5. The team was powered by the long ball in Game 1, with Anderson, Robert and Jimenez all going yard.

Though Cleveland will not be a playoff team, the offense's performance against a formidable arm in Civale should have fans excited.

The White Sox make their return to the postseason, marking the first time in franchise history that the team has made the playoffs in consecutive campaigns. Chicago was eliminated by the Oakland A's in the AL Wild Card Series last year, losing 2-1.

If the season ended today, the White Sox would face the AL West-leading Houston Astros. Chicago is 2-5 against Houston in the regular season, having lost all four road games.

In their most recent meeting in mid-July, the White Sox won two out of three at home.

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Civale's Inconsistencies Continue

Cleveland starter Aaron Civale failed to make it out of the second inning, surrendering a season-high seven runs.

After giving up back-to-back home runs to Robert and Jimenez in the second frame, Civale allowed two more baserunners before Anderson launched his second homer of the day. Civale was pulled after Robert's RBI single and replaced by J.C. Mejia.

Civale took his third loss in his last four starts. It's the second time in his last three appearances that he gave up more than five runs, and he has now given up at least four runs in five of his past nine starts. This comes after he had started the season by winning seven of his first eight decisions.

Although Civale's recent struggles are not the reason Cleveland missed the postseason, they certainly are something the team has to hope will not carry over into next season, when the franchise will be looking to return to the playoffs in its first season as the Guardians.

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What's Next?

There will be little time for a celebration as the White Sox will have a quick turnaround for Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader. Chicago will start Michael Kopech, while Cleveland will counter with Zach Plesac.

The Chicago White Sox have clinched first place in the American League Central after a 7-2 win over Cleveland in Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader.

AL Central Champs!

The @WhiteSox are heading back to the postseason! #CLINCHED pic.twitter.com/PqVAjHRwrV

— MLB (@MLB) September 23, 2021

This represents the first division title for the White Sox since 2008 and only the third playoff appearance for the team since winning the World Series in 2005.

Even without much recent success, Chicago had high expectations entering 2021, the first season under manager Tony La Russa, thanks to a roster loaded with young talent. This ability was on display throughout the year, especially at the plate with one of the top offenses in the majors.

Jose Abreu and Yasmani Grandal have provided power in the middle of the order, while Tim Anderson and Luis Robert have been among the most consistent weapons in the league when healthy.

The pitching staff is also dangerous, entering Thursday ranked tied for sixth in the majors with a 3.76 ERA. 

Carlos Rodon and Lance Lynn have been among the best starters in the American League this season, while Lucas Giolito is always capable of a shut-down performance. Liam Hendriks leads an impressive bullpen as well, which could be even better if Craig Kimbrel returns to form.

It gives the White Sox all the pieces necessary to compete for a World Series this season.

The team took care of its first step of getting to the postseason, but the real challenge will come in October. 

Chicago White Sox pitcher Mike Wright Jr. was suspended three games for hitting Shohei Ohtani with a pitch in the ninth inning of Thursday's 9-3 loss to the Los Angeles Angels, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

Wright will appeal the suspension.

Wright was ejected from the game after plunking Ohtani with nobody on base and two outs in the ninth. White Sox manager Tony La Russa was also ejected after arguing with crew chief Bill Welke. La Russa was reportedly suspended one game.

La Russa believed Welke thought Wright was retaliating after three White Sox hitters (Yoan Moncada, Luis Robert and Jose Abreu) were struck by Angels pitches Tuesday.

"It wasn't intentional," he told reporters. "[Welke] read it wrong. It wasn't consistent with, No. 1, the way they treated the three hit-by-pitches. Secondly, where was our retaliation? It looks bad to our pitcher and our team. It's disappointing."

Angels manager Joe Maddon disagreed.

"It was retaliatory," he said. "We knew that."

Wright, 31, has had a decent season, going 0-1 in nine appearances with a 3.38 ERA, a 1.28 WHIP and seven strikeouts in 13.1 innings.

He spent the 2020 season playing for the NC Dinos in the Korea Baseball Organization and largely pitched in Triple-A this year. The White Sox called him up in mid-August.

As for Ohtani, he's the runaway favorite to win the American League MVP Award and one of the game's singular superstars. He's hitting .256 with 44 homers, 94 RBI, 92 runs and a .953 OPS while also going 9-2 on the mound with a 3.36 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 136 strikeouts in 115.1 innings.

There simply is nobody in baseball like him, and the fact that he was the player Wright hit may have convinced Welke and home plate umpire Chris Conroy it was done intentionally.

The Chicago White Sox may be without one of their key players, as star outfielder Eloy Jimenez suffered a "significant" bone bruise when a foul ball hit him in the dugout at the RingCentral Coliseum in Oakland. 

Jimenez immediately crumpled to the ground after being struck, but was able to return to the field the following inning. He was lifted a few frames later as he began to develop a noticeable limp while rounding the bases.  

Tony La Russa says Eloy Jiménez has a significant bone bruise. He’s day-to-day but they would be “pleasantly surprised” if he plays tomorrow.

“He got smoked"

— James Fegan (@JRFegan) September 8, 2021

The injury comes as the Sox are ramping up their intensity ahead of the postseason.

The 24-year-old has had a 2021 season marred by injuries. His campaign didn't begin until late July after he tore his his left pectoral tendon in March.

"It was a long process but I'm finally back," he told reporters in July. "I feel 200 percent right now."

Since his return, he's hitting .269 with eight homers, 18 runs, 30 RBI and an .819 OPS. 

Jimenez burst onto the scene in his 2019 rookie season, blasting 31 homers and 79 RBI in just 122 games. He kept up that pace in the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, hitting .296 with 14 homers, 41 RBI and an .891 OPS. 

While any Jimenez injury is a major concern, the one nice thing for the White Sox is that they've long had the AL Central crown wrapped up and currently hold an 11-game lead over Cleveland. No need to rush him back in that regard. 

The White Sox have weathered injuries to Jimenez, Luis Robert and Nick Madrigal (lost for the season). All key players, and yet Chicago keeps chugging along. With the Dominican potentially sidelined again, don't expect that to change. 

In his absence, look for the return of Gavin Sheets to the starting lineup. 

The Chicago White Sox placed shortstop Tim Anderson on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain retroactive to Aug. 29.

Chicago also made several corresponding roster moves, including purchasing the contract of infielder Romy Gonzalez from Triple-A Charlotte.

Anderson has missed time over the past couple weeks with recurring leg soreness, and the decision was finally made to place him on the IL in hopes of getting him healthy for the stretch run.

Anderson already spent time on the injured list this season with a hamstring injury and has appeared in more than 146 games just once in his career.

When healthy, he is one of the leaders for a White Sox team with high expectations in 2021. He led the league with a .335 batting average in 2019 and then won a Silver Slugger. He finished seventh in American League MVP voting in the shortened 2020 campaign with a .322/.357/.529 slash line, 10 home runs and 21 RBI.

So far this season, Anderson is hitting .302 with 14 home runs, 53 RBI, 82 runs scored and 17 stolen bases in 108 games. Anderson was also named an All-Star for the first time this season.

Although Anderson represents a huge loss, the White Sox boast a stacked lineup that should continue producing until he comes back.

Much of the offensive burden will fall on the shoulders of Jose Abreu, Eloy Jimenez, Yoan Moncada and Luis Robert.

In terms of who will replace Anderson at shortstop, look for Leury Garcia, Danny Mendick and Gonzalez to potentially all see some work there.

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Lance Lynn said he was already working with trainers in the dugout when umpire Nic Lentz arrived to check for foreign substances, which is why he threw his belt in Lentz's direction and was subsequently ejected from the game.

Lynn provided details about the situation after being thrown out of the contest after the top of the fourth inning in a 3-2 White Sox win over the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday night.

"He was late getting over, so I left my glove and my hat, and then while I was going down in the dugout, trying to see the trainers because I'm dealing with something, he yells at me that he needs to see my belt," Lynn told reporters. "So I toss it up and then he throws me out."

The two-time All-Star added: "Obviously, I hurt his feelings. He threw me out because I tossed my belt, and I said, 'Well, if you were on time, we wouldn't have this problem.' I wish I could have gone deeper. I didn't get that opportunity. It was taken from me."

Lance Lynn was ejected from the game after it appeared he tossed his belt toward the umpire during a foreign substance check pic.twitter.com/fcTEsM3iI5

— Athletics on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) August 19, 2021

Lynn was off to a strong start against the A's having allowed just one run through four innings with four strikeouts. He'd accumulated 88 pitches, meaning he probably only had one or two frames left, but being ejected before the fifth inning meant he couldn't qualify for the win.

Four White Sox relievers (Garrett Crochet, Ryan Tepera, Aaron Bummer and Liam Hendriks) combined to cover the final five innings. Hendriks, the club's closer, recorded the final five outs while striking out three to maintain the one-run lead and secure his 28th save of the campaign.

Chicago improved to 71-50 with the win, and it holds a 12-game lead over Cleveland in the AL Central.

Oakland dropped to 68-53, leaving the A's 2.5 games behind the Houston Astros in the AL West. They do hold a wild-card spot, but that race is crowded.

White Sox manager Tony La Russa argued alongside Lynn after the ejection, but explained afterward a player shouldn't throw their belt in the direction of an umpire. He hopes his ace won't be subject to a suspension following the incident.

"I can't speak for the umpires and the league and how they look at that," La Russa told reporters. "I hope not."

Lynn's next turn in the rotation is scheduled for Monday night when the South Siders open a four-game road series against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Chicago is in a stretch where it plays 16 straight days through Aug. 29, so a suspension would likely lead to a spot start or bullpen game since it couldn't reshuffle the rotation around a day off.

The White Sox wrap up their four-game set against the A's on Thursday afternoon.

Tim Anderson arrived in Dyersville, Iowa, having never seen the film Field of Dreams. He left with arguably a better ending than the original.  

As Major League Baseball descended on the small Iowa town for the first Field of Dreams Game, it was Anderson who provided the Hollywood ending, hitting a walk-off home run deep into the corn field as the Chicago White Sox defeated the New York Yankees 9-8.

A FIELD OF DREAMS IT WAS!✨

TIM ANDERSON WINS IT FOR THE @whitesox!!! pic.twitter.com/kkX4sRcgN6

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 13, 2021

The eighth and final home run of the game was easily the most epic. As the ball landed beyond the right-field fence, fireworks lit up the sky while Anderson celebrated by shaking his hands as he rounded the bases. 

After a disastrous start to the ninth inning, Anderson's celebration was certainly earned. 

All-Star closer Liam Hendriks took the mound at the top of the frame looking to protect a 7-4 lead. New York's Tyler Wade stirred up the drama by singling to right. Strikeouts of DJ LeMahieu and Brett Gardner put the Yankees down to their final out against one of the nastiest pitchers in baseball, but Aaron Judge worked a 2-1 count and deposited his second home run of the night into the farmland to make it 7-6.

A clearly shaken Hendriks then walked Joey Gallo and gave up a go-ahead home run to Giancarlo Stanton before getting out of the inning on Luke Voit strikeout. 

Now trailing 8-7, Sox pinch-hitter Danny Mendick opened the bottom of the ninth with a quick groundout before catcher Seby Zavala turned an 0-2 count into a walk. That turned the lineup over to Anderson, who in typical fashion, took a rip at the first pitch of the at-bat.

"It's over." - @TimAnderson7 😤 #MLBatFieldofDreams pic.twitter.com/ViiJ7Yh7uA

— MLB (@MLB) August 13, 2021

"The game is never over until it’s over," an exasperated Anderson told the Fox broadcast once the celebration calmed down on the field.

"I knew what I was looking for and I didn’t miss. Let’s go home."