Poor Chicago. That could have gone better. After going up 2-0 against Cleveland in the American League Division Series, the White Sox returned home with a chance to clinch a playoff series at home for the first time since 1906. They failed to do that, though, dropping Games 3 and 4, in which Cleveland's offense erupted for nine runs each night.
Is Chicago's pitching simply exhausted? It looks like it. On Thursday night, Chicago used seven pitchers in the loss, including closer Grant Taylor, who got hit hard in a six-run sixth inning for Cleveland. The White Sox staff is also a little wild: they walked 10 batters in Wednesday's 9-3 loss and seven more with a hit batter on Thursday.
On the other hand, Cleveland had to use their ace starting pitcher Gavin Williams to get the last three outs in Game 4. Williams started the Guardians' 4-3 loss in Game 2 on Monday, and was scheduled to pitch Game 5 on normal rest. But he's out on the mound again, giving his team a spot start in a win-or-go-home situation.
With everything on the line, Chicago is handing the game ball to right-hander Sean Burke, who'll start on the road tonight at Progressive Field. Burke was efficient in Game 2, entering in the third and striking out six Guardians over 5 1/3 innings while allowing one run on one hit. This time, Chicago isn't pairing him with an opener.
Both teams are grateful for yesterday's day off. So who do you think will win Game 5 of the ALDS to face the Rays next week?
Chicago lineup
Sam Antonacci LF
Kyle Teel C
Miguel Vargas 3B
Munetaka Murakami 1B
Andrew Benintendi DH
Tristan Peters LF
Chase Meidroth 2B
Colson Montgomery SS
Brendan Doyle CF
Cleveland lineup
Steven Kwan LF
José Ramírez 3B
Chase DeLauter RF
Jo Adell DH
Nathaniel Lowe 1B
Travis Bazzana 2B
Patrick Bailey C
Petey Halpin CF
Brayan Rocchio SS
