Podcast: ALDS Preview – White Sox vs. Astros
Rundown
Intro: State of the White Sox heading into the postseason
4:45: Dallas Keuchel’s postseason roster status
9:40: MLB Regular Season Recap
20:16: What would this year’s postseason look like using 2020 format
25:54: Houston Astros ALDS Preview
48:09: Postseason Picks
66:03: P.O. Sox
How do the White Sox stack up against other AL playoff teams pitching-wise? It feels like their bullpen never got fully sorted out and their once-vaunted starting rotation is falling apart, but other teams have their own struggles so I’m not sure if these problems are unique.
What is your assessment of how much Engel will be an option in RF? How does that affect where Leury will play and where (if?) Hernandez will play? And who is the backup infielder?
The Sox finished 28th in MiLB winning percentage this year. In 2019 their MiLB winning percentage was 19th. I know minor league wins and losses are secondary to player development. That being said are there any changes that you would like to see the Sox make in their player development/farm system this off-season?
76:28: Bonus P.O. Sox (Patreon-only)
Does Keuchel deserve a roster spot? (no) If he’s held off, who would/could be placed on? I would prefer Sheets bat to Keuchel mop-up.
Does Marshall still have a chance to be named to the team if they gat past the first series? And Should I wear my Sox Machine hat to the first blackout game?
Postseason Predictions
| Round | Jim’s Picks | Josh’s Picks |
|---|---|---|
| AL Wild Card | Boston Red Sox | New York Yankees |
| NL Wild Card | Los Angeles Dodgers | St. Louis Cardinals |
| NLDS 1 | San Francisco Giants | San Francisco Giants |
| NLDS 2 | Milwaukee Brewers | Atlanta Braves |
| ALDS 1 | Tampa Bay Rays | Tampa Bay Rays |
| ALDS 2 | Chicago White Sox | Chicago White Sox |
| NLCS | Brewers over Giants | Giants over Braves |
| ALCS | Rays over White Sox | Rays over White Sox |
| World Series | Brewers over Rays | Giants over Rays |
Click play below to listen:
My predictions differ from yours in the sense that when the White Sox are in it, they win the WS. They always win. Can’t use my brain/logic on this one. Nothing but heart.
Can I download the podcast? I would like to listen to in my car during this morning’s commute. I think I was able to download in the past, but it looks changed this time. Thanks
Does anyone know when times are supposed to be released for ALDS games?
After the Wild Card game.
DraftKings Sportsbook is thinking the White Sox vs. Astros are playing at 6:00 PM CT on Thursday.
I suspect we might find out about the games through Sunday later today. With it being Boston vs. New York in the Wild Card game, the TV considerations ought to be about the same no matter which team wins.
Yep,
We have some game times. Thursday 3, Friday 1, Sunday 7
Power rankings are highly irrelevant at this point in the season, but Fangraphs ranks the Sox as the third best team in the playoffs. https://blogs.fangraphs.com/fangraphs-power-rankings-playoffs-edition/
At least the way La Russa makes it sound, the makeup of the playoff roster has stirred a fair amount of debate
https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/news/carlos-rodon-s-playoff-chances-2021
I’m thankful for no Lamb, no Eaton, and hopefully no Keuchel. Choices will be interesting.