It’s a classic matchup between Tony La Russa and Dusty Baker, two managers that hate each other.
For all the time they both spent in the NL Central, they never matched up against one another in the postseason. That changes today.
The last time the White Sox and Astros met in the postseason was the 2005 World Series. Obviously back then, Houston was still in the National League. In that series, the White Sox swept the ‘Stros to capture their first championship since 1917, ending an 88-year drought.
Today’s matchup features a pitching matchup between Lance Lynn for Chicago and Lance McCullers for the Astros.
As we do in all of our postseason series previews, we’ll discuss each team in depth, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses and how they play into the series. So without further ado, let’s break down the ALDS between the Sox and ‘Stros.
The Case For The Astros
They’ve got home-field advantage and have remained a powerhouse in the AL despite the fallout from the 2017 sign-stealing scandal. They’ve got McCullers and Framber Valdez lined up for the first two games of the series. They’ll likely have Zack Greinke for Game 3 too.
Their lineup is still strong, with plenty of players who have been in the spotlight before. When you have Michael Brantley, Yordan Alvarez, Carlos Correa, Jose Altuve, and Alex Bregman in your lineup, you’ve got somewhat of an advantage, especially in the hitter friendly Minute Maid Park.
The Case For The White Sox
It’s kind of hard to bet against Tony La Russa given his postseason reputation. But that‘s not the only reason the White Sox should feel confident. They’ll have Lance Lynn and Lucas Giolito for the first two games, and starting pitching is usually your foundation come October.
They got healthy at the right time late in the year, with Luis Robert and Eloy Jimenez returning from injury. They also have last year’s MVP Jose Abreu and former batting champ Tim Anderson.
And don’t forget about their bullpen. La Russa has three well established relievers he can use in the back half of games. Ryan Tepera, Craig Kimbrel, and Liam Hendriks are guys you don’t want to face with the game on the line.
Conclusion
No one’s forgotten about the cheating scandal, so the entire baseball world, with the exception of Astros fans themselves, will be cheering against Houston. White Sox vs. Astros ALDS Preview
This series is about as evenly matched as it gets. Two teams winning 90+ games and meeting in the postseason is always a treat, and we’re in for a fun ride this ALDS.
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