Richards will at least get a full playoff share...which is huge for those AAAA players.

8 minutes ago, HeGetzUs said:

The roster could have gone without Tommy Pham

For a 3 game series, who would you replace him with? Honestly I think Acuna should get replaced first from the position players side.

56 minutes ago, JTB said:

The White Sox are playing playoff baseball today. Pinch me!

Agreed, JTB, it's an awesome thing! It's been such a kick following these guys throughout this season, and really kind of hard to grasp the fact that the "regular" part is done, and that the team now gets to participate in the "gravy" part. A couple of our fellow posters have referenced the concept of "playing with house money" at this stage. I don't know if everyone necessarily holds that point of view, but I think I probably lean that way. Nobody (except them) thought these guys would come this far, and they got here by playing loose, hungry, and aggressive. I hope they can just keep doing that. They've also had the benefit of truly loving one another as brothers, rising or falling as a team. No matter how things go from here, I would also observe that I've had a TON of fun following this forum this season, had many good laughs, and been truly impressed at all of you guys'/gals' ability to bounce opinions around "vigorously", but always emerge as friends. It's been a real pleasure.

Just now, Buehrle>Wood said:

For a 3 game series, who would you replace him with? Honestly I think Acuna should get replaced first from the position players side.

Going with veteran "been there, done that" playoff experience...he and Benintendi, Rogers as well.

3 minutes ago, BigHurt3515 said:

Only going 12 pitchers is a choice especially when we use a ton of pitching typically but I guess it is only 3 games.

You are literally putting Acuna on there to hopefully pinch run late in the game and Pham on there to possibly pinch hit a couple times

I think it's fine in a 3 game series. Plus if they play all 3 and win, there's an off day Friday and then Sunday after game 1 of the next series.

8 minutes ago, HeGetzUs said:

The roster could have gone without Tommy Pham

Tommy Pham has a career postseason batting average of .315 with 41 hits, 6 home runs, and 12 RBIs in 37 playoff games.

Statistic Postseason Total

Games Played (G) 37

At Bats (AB) 130

Hits (H) 41

Home Runs (HR) 6

Runs Batted In (RBI) 12

Runs Scored (R) 17

Stolen Bases (SB) 7

Batting Average (AVG) .315

OPS .823

Not a bad playoff experienced bat to have on your to bench.

Actually, with so many days built into the playoffs, you don't really need 13 pitchers. Especially if you only really need 3-4 SP. At least the first 2 rounds.

Edited 44 minutes ago44 min by Bob Sacamano

4 minutes ago, Buehrle>Wood said:

For a 3 game series, who would you replace him with? Honestly I think Acuna should get replaced first from the position players side.

I think this is the correct roster. 12 pitchers should be enough for a short series.

Acuna is needed for pinch running and emergency defensive replacement on the infield. Pham is pinch hit bat vs lefties. They both serve a purpose.

LFG!

1 minute ago, Bonemer, I Hardly Know Her said:

I think this is the correct roster. 12 pitchers should be enough for a short series.

Acuna is needed for pinch running and emergency defensive replacement on the infield. Pham is pinch hit bat vs lefties. They both serve a purpose.

They also might have to move on from Kolson if he continues to struggle at the plate...

17 minutes ago, HeGetzUs said:

The roster could have gone without Tommy Pham

I would have done the extra pitcher over him.

4 minutes ago, Bonemer, I Hardly Know Her said:

I think this is the correct roster. 12 pitchers should be enough for a short series.

Acuna is needed for pinch running and emergency defensive replacement on the infield. Pham is pinch hit bat vs lefties. They both serve a purpose.

I agree. No need for 13 pitchers in a 3 game series. The discussion around ALDS would be more interesting but we shall see when we get there

Edited 40 minutes ago40 min by Buehrle>Wood

1 minute ago, Buehrle>Wood said:

I agree. No need for 13 pitchers in a 3 game series. The discussion around ALDS would be more interesting but we shall see when we get there

Normally, sure. But when your starters go 2 3 innings normally, and you are already doing a bullpen game in game 1, seems like a bad idea.

11 minutes ago, Buehrle>Wood said:

For a 3 game series, who would you replace him with? Honestly I think Acuna should get replaced first from the position players side.

Would have kept another pitcher like Richards in case of a blow out loss to try to save the rest of the pen

1 minute ago, Buehrle>Wood said:

I agree. No need for 13 pitchers in a 3 game series. The discussion around ALDS would be more interesting but we shall see when we get there

I think even in the ALDS you can get by with 12 pitchers. There are off days after games 1, 2, and 4 for the AL this year so even if it goes to 5 games you can still use your games 1 and 2 starters on full rest in games 4 and 5.

1 minute ago, HeGetzUs said:

Would have kept another pitcher like Richards in case of a blow out loss to try to save the rest of the pen

Schultz's role now

9 minutes ago, HoosierSox said:

Tommy Pham has a career postseason batting average of .315 with 41 hits, 6 home runs, and 12 RBIs in 37 playoff games.

Statistic Postseason Total

Games Played (G) 37

At Bats (AB) 130

Hits (H) 41

Home Runs (HR) 6

Runs Batted In (RBI) 12

Runs Scored (R) 17

Stolen Bases (SB) 7

Batting Average (AVG) .315

OPS .823

Not a bad playoff experienced bat to have on your to bench.

Problem is Will won’t be able to stop himself from starting him throughout the series

Just now, HeGetzUs said:

Problem is Will won’t be able to stop himself from starting him throughout the series

He's not gonna start unless the Astros throw a lefty starter. They don't have any of those.

Just now, chw42 said:

He's not gonna start unless the Astros throw a lefty starter. They don't have any of those.

Yep he will the 2nd righty off the bench to pinch hit against a lefty after Grichuk

Don't need the full compliment of pitchers for a 3-gamer. Some teams would be leaving off starters, but the Sox have some more trust in those guys which is understandable. My read of Houston's lineup is that it's very right-handed and they aren't likely to be doing a lot of pinch hitting to match up. That makes managing the pitching easier too. Pham buys the Sox another opportunity to pinch hit when needed. Luisangel on the other hand is a skeleton key that can both buy you a very fast runner when you may need it as well as making it far less likely that you accidentally pinch hit yourself into not being able to field a major league defense.

White Sox

The best answer would be: Why not? Most people thought reaching .500 would be a great 2026 accomplishment for this young team coming off three straight seasons of 100-plus losses. But there they were on Sept. 24, celebrating a playoff-clinching victory in Kansas City. This team is fearless, as general manager Chris Getz has said many times. This team plays all 27 outs with high intensity, and this team has believed they were good long before anyone else felt the same. Getting more than a few home runs from Miguel Vargas, Munetaka Murakami and Colson Montgomery, who all topped 30 in the regular season, won’t hurt the cause, nor will the starting rotation giving the top-notch bullpen room to maneuver. People not believing in the White Sox, though, is nothing unusual and won't slow down the South Siders. -- Scott Merkin

mlb.com

Poor Drew Romo. He's the team mascot. Will be bad for morale.

It was a good season. Being that they made the playoffs ahead of time for me whatever happens happens. I feel if they hit like they can they can compete. The pitching is worrisome. Hoping for the best. I'll most likely be right here with you guys. Can't watch anywhere so you guys will be my company

The dissenting view

“The Astros have so much more postseason experience and the bigger names (Yordan Alvarez, Jose Altuve, Jeremy Peña), but when there's no clear favorite, go with the hungry young team that has enough talent and vibes to do damage and surprise.” -- Jason Catania, supervising editor -- breaking news @ mlb.com

23 minutes ago, southsider2k5 said:

I would have done the extra pitcher over him.

We need guys with postseason experience, even if he is a glorified babysitter. But I do think he's a nice bat off the bench.