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White Sox, Guardians Set Openers for ALDS Game 3
Confirmed
In Short: The Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Guardians will both use openers in Game 3 of their ALDS series.
The Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Guardians will both turn to openers for Game 3 of their American League Division Series (ALDS) on Wednesday, with the White Sox starting lefty Sean Newcomb against Guardians right-hander Daniel Espino.
Newcomb, who has logged four saves this season but also started six times, said, "There was a handful of us in that same role, and we were kind of feeding off each other and working with each other to prepare and handle it."
Espino, the Guardians' first-round draft pick in 2019, will make his first start in a high-stakes game. "I was wishing just to throw a baseball," Espino said.
The Guardians, trailing 2-0 in the best-of-five series, are looking to avoid elimination. Manager Terry Francona said, "Of all the options in the bullpen, I felt like giving the ball to Daniel was the right call."
"It's been a formula that's worked, so Daniel is going to start," Francona added.
The White Sox's decision to use an opener is part of their strategy that has worked throughout the season. Newcomb noted, "So it's been good operating this way throughout the season, as opposed to just the postseason."
The Guardians' offense struggled in Game 1, and they hope Espino can provide a spark. "We are mostly just thinking next game," White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery said.
The White Sox will counter with opener Anthony Kay, followed by Sean Burke, their top starter in 2026, as a bulk reliever.
The Guardians handed the ball to right-hander Gavin Williams, who was the 1A to Game 1 starter Parker Messick this season.
Williams, who led the league in strikeouts this season, is expected to provide a strong start for the Guardians.
The game will be available in Spanish on UniMas, with Univision’s TUDN Radio providing Spanish-language audio coverage.
What this adds
The Guardians' selection of Espino was a surprise given their more traditional pitching setup, but the rookie has shown promise despite posting a 6.25 ERA in three starts during the season.
The White Sox's strategy of using openers has been successful, with Burke posting a minuscule 1.04 ERA over three appearances this season.
Background
The Chicago White Sox edged the Cleveland Guardians 4-3 in Game 1 of their American League Division Series.
The New York Yankees swept the Boston Red Sox in the American League Wild Card Series, securing their place in the American League Division Series (ALDS) with a 9-2 victory in Game 2 on Wednesday night.
What's confirmed
- With the White Sox holding a 2-0 advantage in the best-of-three series, it is a must-win game for the Guardians at Rate Field.
What's still developing
- Espino's selection was a little more surprising given the Guardians' more traditional pitching setup, but the rookie did open three games during the season, posting a 6.25 ERA.
- He was the Guardians' first-round draft pick in 2019, but his development was sidetracked by numerous injuries that included two shoulder surgeries and four missed seasons.
- "I'm now starting a Game 3. It's just really important, but every step that I've taken in my life has been really important, since leaving my home in Panama, to moving to the States, and tomorrow."
- No one was looking forward to Game 2 more than the Guardians, whose offense didn’t show up in Game 1.
- Burke is 2-0 with a minuscule 1.04 ERA over three appearances (two starts) against the Guardians this season, striking out 21 and walking three over 17 1/3 innings.
- Guardians: RHP Gavin Williams Key stats: Second in MLB in strikeouts (248), most starts with double-digit strikeouts (11) Having Williams lined up is a point of comfort to a team that could really use a win in Game 2.
- He also logged a career high in innings pitched (184 1/3) and starts (32) this season, while recording a 3.76 ERA.
- Entering Game 2, Chicago wasn’t thinking that far ahead, of course.
- "We still have a great opportunity ahead of us to even the series and go to Chicago with a chance to win it." When is the game and how can I tune in?
Sources
- ESPN La Crosse 105.5link
- Espnlink
- MLB.comlink
- On Tap Sports Netlink
- Total Apex Sportslink
- WFINlink
- Ncnewsonlinelink
- Awfulannouncinglink
- CBS Sportslink
- USA Todaylink
- Mlblink
- Newsweeklink
- Awaybackgonelink
- Thebigleadlink
- WarpBeat — background on White Sox Beat Guardians, Move Closer to ALCS link
- WarpBeat — background on Yankees Sweep Red Sox, Set for ALDS Clash with Rays link
- CBS Chicago — video link