For the first time in the 126 seasons of mutual existence of the two franchises, the White Sox and Guardians will meet in the playoffs. Hagen Smith starts (or, more accurately, opens) for Chicago against Guards starter Parker Messick in Game 1 of the ALDS this afternoon in Cleveland, and both clubs have now officially released their series rosters.
The Pale Hose made just one change to the 26-man roster that swept the Astros in the AL Wild Card Series, as a right-hander. Tyler Davis joins the list in place of Huascar Brazoban. After the starter Sean Burke was removed after four innings of Game 2, Brazoban was the first reliever out of the bullpen, but he only retired one of three batters faced. Anthony Kay replaced Brazoban and issued a walk but got out of trouble, preserving Chicago’s lead 4-3. Brazoban was acquired by the Mets at the trade deadline, but posted a 4.40 ERA in 14 1/3 innings for the Sox and also spent nearly a month on the injured list with a left side strain.
The five-year MLB veteran will be replaced by Davis, one of several rookies who have contributed to the upstart Sox’s roster. It’s a nice birthday present for Davis, who turns 28 today. Davis made his MLB debut on April 25 and he posted a 3.66 ERA, 21.1% strikeout rate and 12.5% walk rate in 32 innings out of Chicago’s bullpen. The Sox never used Davis against Cleveland in the regular season, so the rookie represents a potential new challenge for the Guardians’ hitters.
There were no real surprises on Cleveland’s first playoff team. Right-handed Slade Cecconi And Austin Peterson were removed from the 28-man roster that concluded the Guardians’ regular season, and no new additions were made. Rhys Hoskins hasn’t suited up since Aug. 18 due to lower back inflammation, and although he participated in team workouts this week, the Guardians opted not to include the veteran on their active roster.
White Sox catchers: Jake Rogers, Kyle Teel
Infielders: Luisangel Acuña, Chase Meidroth, Colson Montgomery, Munetaka Murakami, Miguel Vargas
Voltigeurs: Sam Antonacci, Andrew Benintendi, Brenton Doyle, Randal Grichuk, Braden Montgomery, Tristan Peters, Tommy Pham
Left-handed pitchers: Bryan HudsonAnthony Kay, Sean Newcomb, Noah Schultz. Hagen Smith
Right-handed pitchers: Sean Burke, Tyler Davis, Erick Feddé, Jordan Hicks, David Martin, David Sandlin, Grant Taylor
Goalkeeper catchers: Patrick Bailey, Austin Hurdles
Infielders: Travis Bazzana, Angel Genao, Nathaniel Lowe, Jose Ramirez, Brayan Rocchio, Daniel Schneemann
Voltigeurs: Jo Adell, Chase DeLauter, David Frire, Petey Halpin, Steven Kwan, Angel Martinez
Left-handed pitchers: Joey Cantillo, Foster Griffin, Tim HerrinParker Messick, Erik Sabrowski
Right-handed pitchers: Shawn Armstrong, Tanner Bibee, Daniel Espino, Matt Festa, Hunter Gaddis, Cade Smith, Gavin Williams
Gn sports
