The White Sox entered today’s game with a chance to advance in the playoffs for the first time since 2005. They’ll have to try again tomorrow.
The White Sox dropped game two of the MLB Wild Card Round to the Oakland Athletics by a score of 5-3. After a win in game one yesterday, the White Sox couldn’t seem to get it going on offense today. Yasmani Grandal hit a 2-run home run in the top of the 8th to make it a ballgame, but it ended up being too little, too late as the Sox couldn’t seem to solve A’s righty starter Chris Bassitt. A few bad calls and overly aggressive swings prevented the comeback for a team that had the tying run on second base and their MVP candidate at bat.
The White Sox and A’s will play in an elimination game three tomorrow afternoon.
W: Bassitt (1-0) L: Dallas Keuchel: (0-1) S: Jake Diekman (1)
Notable Performances
Yasmani Grandal: 1-3, HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB
The White Sox got some hope in the 8th inning with a two run homer. It ended up being not enough for the Sox though they made it interesting at the end. Grandal also drew a bases loaded walk in the top of the 9th to bring in another run and advance the tying run into scoring position.
Tim Anderson: 3-5, 3 1B
Tim Anderson has hit everything in sight this postseason, bringing his postseason batting average to .667. Anderson had another great day, going 3-5 at the plate, all singles. It seems like a few hits are automatic for Tim Anderson lately.
Jimmy Cordero: 2.2 IP, 2 K, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB
An under-appreciated performance in today’s game was that of reliever Jimmy Cordero. Entering the game with the damage done, and the White Sox trailing 5-0, he held the game where it was. It’s possible he was over-used in the regular season and the few games off seemed to have helped.
Moment of the Game
Yasmani Grandal’s home run in the top of the 8th gave the White Sox more hope, but ultimately couldn’t get it done with the bases loaded and MVP candidate Jose Abreu up in the top of the 9th. The homer gives Grandal eight on the season, and after hitting one in back-to-back games, he is heating up at the right time.
Player of the Game
Today’s player of the game goes to Tim Anderson as he continued to give the White Sox opportunities getting on base. Unfortunately, the Sox didn’t do a great job driving him in, but will try to change that tomorrow in a winner-take-all game 3.
Honorable Mention: The Sox Bullpen. The A’s offense was clicking and ready to do more damage, but the White Sox bullpen prevented that from happening. The trio of Cordero, Cease, and Heuer did an excellent job allowing just one hit and no runs.
Looking Ahead
Grinder Ball Rule #1: Win, or die trying. Tomorrow, the season is on the line. The White Sox and A’s will face off in an elimination game to see who advances to the ALDS to take on the Astros. Both starters are undecided. It likely will be Dunning or Crochet, both making their playoff debuts, for the White Sox. The A’s can go with Mike Fiers or lefty Sean Manaea. It will likely be Fiers as the Sox are 15-0 against lefties this season. First pitch is set for 2:10 PM on ESPN and the Watch ESPN app.
Sox fans, just enjoy this. Be happy with the fight you saw today. We all know we’ll be on the edge of our seats all nine innings, but appreciate that the White Sox are in this position.
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