2021 ALDS Poll: Chicago White Sox vs Houston Astros

Quick Notes

The Astros will open their 2021 postseason campaign with the Ghosts of World Series Past after drawing the White Sox for the divisional round. For the young South Siders, this will mark their second trip to October in as many years after more than a decade of watching the fun from home. I’m sure their fans are hoping for better results this time around though, as they were bounced in the expanded Wild Card round last season.

But that taste of the postseason seemingly provided motivation as Chicago was able to break through and take control of the AL Central this season, winning the division for the first time since 2008. Of course it helped that they were in the weakest division in MLB, but that’s hardly the only reason they’re here.

Quite frankly, the White Sox are a complete team. Their veteran rotation is a strength and is paired with a solid lineup that can win games. While their offensive numbers may not be as gaudy as the Astros, they didn’t get to 93 wins on accident. Dan Martin did an excellent job covering what they’ve done this season on both sides of the ball, which I will refer you to here.

The biggest question mark for the White Sox this series is probably Carlos Rodon (RHP, 13-5, 2.73 ERA, 185 K’s), who has been one of their best pitchers this season. He has also not seen a whole lot of action since missing time with a shoulder issue about two months before the end of the regular season. Rodon hasn’t gone deep in any games since then, though some of that can probably be attributed to the fact that the White Sox were running away with the division. The Sox are optimistic that he’ll play at some point in this series, but how large of a contribution he can make remains to be seen.

1B Jose Abreu’s (.261/.351/.481) status is also iffy, but in his case, the news isn’t quite so dire. Abreu is currently battling some flu-like symptoms but is expected to return to the lineup, though his Game 1 status will probably be a game-time decision. The team has confirmed that it is not COVID keeping Abreu on the bench.

I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention the longstanding feud between Dusty Baker and Tony La Russa, the two Methuselahs managing these teams. These two guys have clashed more than a few times over the course of their storied careers and the exchanges have not always been so pleasant.

Not so surprising when you realize that these two managed in the same division for ten years at one point.

For Your Viewing and Listening Pleasure

Game 1: Lance Lynn (RHP, 11-6, 2.69 ERA, 176 K’s) vs Lance McCullers Jr. (RHP, 13-5, 3.16 ERA, 185 K’s)
When: Thursday, October 7th @ 3:07 pm CDT
Listen: White Sox - WMVP 1000 AM, ESPN Radio, WRTO 1200 / Astros - KBME 790 AM/94.5 FM HD-2, KTRH 740 AM/99.1 FM HD-2, ESPN Radio, TUDN 93.3/KLAT 1010
Watch: FS1-INT, FS1

AD

Game 2: Lucas Giolito (RHP, 11-9, 3.53 ERA, 201 K’s) vs Framber Valdez (LHP, 11-6, 3.14 ERA, 125 K’s)
When: Friday, October 8th @ 1:07 pm CDT
Listen: White Sox - WMVP 1000 AM, ESPN Radio, WRTO 1200 / Astros - KBME 790 AM/94.5 FM HD-2, KTRH 740 AM/99.1 FM HD-2, ESPN Radio, TUDN 93.3/KLAT 1010
Watch: MLBN, MLBN-INT

Game 3: TBD vs TBD
When: Sunday, October 10th @ 7:07 pm CDT
Listen: Astros - KBME 790 AM/94.5 FM HD-2, KTRH 740 AM/99.1 FM HD-2, ESPN Radio, TUDN 93.3/KLAT 1010 / White Sox - WMVP 1000 AM, ESPN Radio, WRTO 1200
Watch: FS1

Game 4*: TBD vs TBD
When: Monday, October 11th @ TBD
Listen: Astros - KBME 790 AM/94.5 FM HD-2, KTRH 740 AM/99.1 FM HD-2, ESPN Radio, TUDN 93.3/KLAT 1010 / White Sox - WMVP 1000 AM, ESPN Radio, WRTO 1200
Watch: FS1

Game 5*: TBD vs TBD
When: Wednesday, October 13th @ TBD
Listen: White Sox - WMVP 1000 AM, ESPN Radio, WRTO 1200 / Astros - KBME 790 AM/94.5 FM HD-2, KTRH 740 AM/99.1 FM HD-2, ESPN Radio, TUDN 93.3/KLAT 1010
Watch: FS1

*if necessary