The White Sox came into their first playoff game after losing eight out of ten of the last regular-season games. And despite being the least offensive team, the White Sox have always considered Oakland their house of horrors. Luckily for the White Sox, the Athletics also limped into the playoffs, and the White Sox exercised more than one demon in this playoff game.
Lucas Giolito (7IP 2H 1ER 1BB 8K 1W 100PC) pitched amazingly in his first postseason game. He led the White Sox to their 4-1 victory over the Athletics. This game is his second-best game pitched, his no-hitter being the best. Giolito proved that he is ready for the big moments and pressure that comes with the postseason. He had a perfect game through five innings but lost that bid in the 6th inning. The bullpen came in and pitched two shutout innings. Evan Marshal, Aaron Bummer, and Alex Colome disposed of the Athletics in 20 pitches combined.
Tim Anderson tweeted at the Athletics before the game that they “must not have done their homework” referencing the A’s left-handed pitcher, Jesus Luzardo (3.1IP 6H 3ER 0BB 5K 59PC 1L). The White Sox are undefeated against left-handed pitchers this year and Luzardo added to their record, 15-0. Anderson did back up his jab by going 3-4 with a run, and Jose Abreu, Yasmani Grandal, and Adam Engel, who all hit home runs.
The White Sox ended the regular season poorly, finishing in seventh place. But the White Sox that came out on Tuesday afternoon was the team that was first place in the AL Central for most of the season.
The White Sox will send savvy veteran Dallas Keuchel to face the Athletics’ Chris Bassit. Recently, Bassit has been pitching the best out of their starters. This is the game the White Sox signed Keuchel for. Now is the time to see if the investment pays off and the White Sox knock out the Athletics to advance to the next round.
Minnesota Twins v Houston Astros
The Twins were supposed to roll the Astros in this game, especially with the Twins having home field advantage. During the regular season, the Twin were near unbeatable at home, 24-7, but on Tuesday afternoon, the Astros pushed across three runs in the 9th inning to win 4-1 and took a 1-0 lead.
Tampa Bay Rays v Toronto Blue Jays
The Rays came in as the number one overall seed in the AL and their pitching on Tuesday night was as good as billed. SP Blake Snell (5.2IP 1H 0ER 2BB 9K 82PC 1W) did the heavy lifting and the bullpen handled the rest. The Rays won 3-1 to take the 1-0 lead.
Cleveland Indians v New York Yankees
Cleveland’s hot streak got them all the way up to the fourth seed, which earned them a face-off with the New York Yankees. The Yankees are now 100% healthy and look 100% scarier in the postseason. The Yankees destroyed the Cy Young nominee, SP Shane Bieber (4.2IP 9H 7ER 2BB 7K 105PC 1L). The offense was hitting on all cylinders as they won 12-3 and took a 1-0 lead.