SoxBlanco

Couldn’t think of a better guy to start this must-win game thread. Also pumped because that means you’ll be starting the game thread for game 1 of the ALCS. @Chicago White Sox, really sorry about your dog. Let’s get this W.

I wanted Sheets at first too, but it wouldn’t make sense. I’d rather save him for a pinch hit for Engel (or Leury) later.

Me too. But you can definitely get through 5 innings with Tepera, Bummer, Kimbrel, and Liam.

It was a joke.

Let’s GO! Lots of pressure on Houston. They need to win one of the next three if they want to force a game 5.

This is exactly why I wanted Lynn in game 1 and Giolito in game 2. Some people here are acting like the series is over. Everyone said we wanted to leave Houston with 1 win, and that’s still very possible.

Sheets and Grandal got one in the zone during the first time through the lineup.

Yep. Remember when we were up 3-0 against Oakland last year?

AJ wants the Sox to win, 100%.

Expanded playoffs. We weren’t in the ALDS.

This is another way I look at it: If I could lock in a win right now for either game 1 or game 2, and let the other one play out, I’d be locking in game 2. That’s why I want Lucas in game 2. He’ll also be facing a worse pitcher for Houston, so we just maximized the chances of winning one of the first two games. And since he can still pitch game 5 on full rest, it makes the decision easier.

Gio wouldn’t be on short rest. But I agree with you on Lynn.

I like it because they will have the option of Lynn or Lucas in game 5.

I’ve shared my thoughts in other threads, but I agree with this decision.

Exactly. Whoever pitches game 2 will be on normal rest for game 5, so we would still have the option of Lynn or Giolito for game 5. I look at it like this...there are three different scenarios for Lynn/Giolito to pitch in the first two games: series tied 0-0, we are up 1-0, or we are down 0-1. The most dire scenario is if we lose the first game, in which case I want Gio on the bump for that super important game 2. The other way to look at it is obviously that if Giolito just pitches game 1 and we win, we won't even face that game 2 scenario where we are down a game. But I would hate for a scenario to happen where Gio pitches well in game 1 and our offense goes cold, and we lose 2-1 or something like that. Then we are in trouble. Like I said, I'm fine with either decision, but I would personally go with Lynn in game 1.

I usually agree with you on most things, but I would probably lean toward starting Lynn in game 1 if it were up to me. I don't feel strongly either way though, so I would be 100% behind Giolito getting the ball.

Do we know who is pitching game 1 for us yet?

No way they can wait until Wednesday to announce the times, can they?

If you could sign up for a Sox/Jays ALCS right now, would you do it? Or would you let it play out?

This is pretty funny now that we’ve seen the lineup.

Bump. We are locked in to the 92-94 wins option, and we obviously won the division. Well done, SoxTalk.

What time are the "day" games usually for the ALDS? Are we talking about a 1 PM start? Or more like a 3 or 4 PM start?

No Eloy, Robert, or Grandal in that game. Goodwin was batting clean up, so that tells you everything you need to know. McCullers should be the one who is scared.

Who are their top three starters for the playoffs?