With the ALDS beginning tomorrow afternoon, the White Sox have started to give more information about the roster. While the entire ALDS roster won’t be announced until tomorrow morning, we are starting to get a better sense of what the roster is going to look like. In addition, we got a bit more information on Jose Abreu’s status after some mid-afternoon speculation.
Jose Abreu Will Join Team Tomorrow
During the day, speculation broke out surrounding Jose Abreu’s status with the team. It had been speculated (based solely on White Sox Twitter videos) that Abreu had not traveled with the team to Houston.
Indeed, this rumor ended up being true – however, for the fans who feared the worst, Abreu does not have COVID. Instead, he has flu-like symptoms, will travel to Houston tonight, and is questionable for tomorrow’s game.
If I had to bet on it, I would imagine that Jose Abreu makes himself available for tomorrow’s Game 1. Assuming he’s unavailable, however, it would make the most sense to have Andrew Vaughn start at 1B while Gavin Sheets handles DH duties.
More to come as Abreu makes it to Houston tonight.
Tony La Russa Names Game 1 Starter
The big moment of truth: Lance Lynn will start Game 1 of the ALDS against Lance McCullers. Lucas Giolito was named the Game 2 starter, with the Game 3 starter to be determined.
As for the Game 3 starter, Tony La Russa made it clear that Dylan Cease (who, in most people’s minds, is the likely Game 3 SP) is a candidate to start in Game 3 – but wouldn’t go as far as to say that it will be Cease on the mound in Game 3.
This uncertainty really comes from the uncertainty surrounding Carlos Rodon’s status.
In a perfect world, the White Sox likely view Carlos Rodon as their Game 3 starter. However, given Rodon’s health status, the White Sox are going to delay the announcement of who follows Lynn and Giolito as long as they possibly can.
However, it is clear that both La Russa and Lance Lynn view pitching on short rest as a possibility – which, much like not naming their game 3 starter, shows the increased uncertainty surrounding Carlos Rodon’s ability to be an effective starter for the White Sox. It appears that part of naming Lance Lynn the Game 1 starter was their belief in his ability to pitch in Game 4 on short rest if necessary.
We will continue to update you with more information about the roster as it becomes available!
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Featured Photo: Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) / Twitter
