The White Sox had a huge opportunity to knock out the Oakland Athletics and advance to the next round. Unfortunately, they figured out the Athletics a little too late. Dallas Keuchel suffered too much damage early on as the Athletics survived to force a game three with a 5-3 victory.
Dallas Keuchel (3.1IP 6H 3ER 0BB 4K 62PC 1K), who was probably the White Sox’ most consistent pitcher, was off today against the Athletics. The White Sox defense also committed a few critical errors that cost them the game. This was the first game this season that Keuchel had given up any runs in the first two innings. He also gave up two home runs after a near-perfect season. Jimmy Cordero, Dylan Cease, and Codi Heuer were able to keep the Athletics off the board for the rest of the game to give the offense a chance to make a comeback.
Tim Anderson was able to keep rolling as he recorded another three hits and run in his second postseason game, putting him at 6-9 in his first postseason. Yasmani Grandal hit a two-run home run and joined Paul Konerko and Joe Crede as the only White Sox players to get home runs in consecutive playoff games. Nick Madrigal was 2-4 with a run, but he made some costly errors in the field and had some huge base running errors. He can be outstanding, but mistakes are amplified in the playoffs and can seldom be afforded.
The third game of this series will more than likely be a bullpen game. The third starters for each ball club don’t have the confidence of their managers right now. This means the offense can’t wait for the last three innings to get going. Although, the White Sox did show they can fight to come back. The White Sox also scored off the best closer in baseball, Liam Hendricks (1.2IP 4H 2ER 1BB 5K), and made him throw 49 pitches. He will not be available for Thursday’s elimination game.
Mental and managerial errors played into this loss as well. Edwin Encarnacion, who had a .150 batting average in the regular season, should not have been in the lineup. He should be limited as a pinch hitter only. Renteria also allowed Zach Collins to come in and get a pinch-hit when he hadn’t had an at-bat in about a month. Then Renteria allowed Jarrod Dyson to bat even though it looked like Eloy Jimenez, who had been out with a foot injury, was ready to hit.
Thursday’s game can’t have any of these mistakes. The White Sox need to play their best to take down the Athletics and advance to the next round.
Wild Card Round Recap
Cincinnati Reds v Atlanta Braves
Trevor Bauer (7.2IP 2H 0ER 0BB 12K 103PC) and Max Fried (7IP 6H 0ER 0BB 5K 78PC) went pitch for pitch in a great duel, but they were just the beginning of the all-out pitching duel as both bullpens were on point. Both teams went almost seven more innings of shut out baseball. The Braves finally pushed across a run in the 13th inning, off the bat of 1B Freddie Freeman, to take game one, 1-0, and spoil Bauer’s great start.
Houston Astros v Minnesota Twins (Astros Lead 1-0)
The Twins came into this series as heavy favorites, but their playoff woes continued as they lost 3-1 for their 18th playoff game in a row. The Astros knocked out the Twins, who were only able to score two runs in as many games.
Miami Marlins v Chicago Cubs
The Marlins were able to get to the Cubs’ starting pitcher, Kyle Hendricks (6.1IP 5H 3ER 3BB 3K 106PC 1L). Manager David Ross might have pitched him one inning to long. The Cubs wasted Hendricks’ great start. This 5-1 loss might end up haunting the Cubs, especially if they don’t start hitting.
Tampa Bay Rays v Toronto Blue Jays (Rays lead 1-0)
The Rays had Tyler Glasnow (6IP 6H 2ER 1BB 8K 86PC 1W), who has been their best pitcher last month and continued his hot streak going, as the Rays knocked out the Blue Jays, 8-2, and move onto the next round.
St Louis Cardinals v San Diego Padres
Chris Paddack (2.1IP 8H 6ER 0BB 1K 46PC 1L) was awful in the Padres’ return to the playoffs. Bad news for the Padres moving forward as they are already down Dinelson Lamet and Mike Clevinger for the postseason. The Padres lost, 7-4.
New York Yankees v Cleveland Indians (Yankees lead 1-0)
This was a sloppy back and forth game that had to deal with two rain delays. The Yankees came through in the top of the ninth inning and scored two runs against Cleveland’s closer Brad Hand. The game ended,10-9, shutting the door on Clevelands’ postseason run.
Milwaukee Brewers v Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers opened the postseason with Walker Buehler (4IP 3H 2ER 2BB 8K 73PC), getting the nod for the first start. He did about as well as he could coming off light work at the end of the year. The Dodgers pulled away and held off the Brewers offense to take down game one, 4-2.