LCS: How will former Chicago White Sox players perform?
By Brian Draus
Aug 26, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA;St. Louis Cardinals catcher A.J. Pierzynski (12) reacts after striking out against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the seventh inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
There are four players who are on the rosters for either the ALCS or NLCS. The ALCS starts Friday with the Baltimore Orioles facing the Kansas City Royals. The NLCS is the St. Louis Cardinals vs. the San Francisco Giants.
Here is a list of former Chicago White Sox players who will be playing in either the American League Championship or National League Championship Series.
Oct 9, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles outfielder Alejandro De Aza (12) is interviewed before workouts the day before game one of the 2014 ALCS at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports
• Alejandro De Aza-Baltimore (OF)
De Aza is probably not going to be a guy that the Orioles’ lineup will be built around, but he could still be a key cog.
De Aza can hit right-handed pitchers well and is solid defensively in left field. Another attribute De Aza brings to the table is speed. If the Orioles want to use him to steal a base or to pinch run, that is an option as well.
•Jason Frasor-Kansas City (RHP)
Frasor is one of many solid relief pitchers for the Royals. The Royals have as good of a bullpen as anyone in baseball, and while Frasor is not the key man in their bullpen, he is still a good arm. If one of their key guys were to go down, there is no reason to think that he couldn’t be used in a late-inning role.
Also with KC are Jayson Nix and Scott Downs, but they were left off the ALCS roster for the Royals.
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•Jake Peavy-San Francisco (RHP)
Peavy will play the biggest role of any of the three ex-White Sox players in the NLCS. That is due to the fact that he is one of the top starters for the Giants, and the Giants are a team built around pitching and fundamentals.
While Peavy isn’t a Cy Young candidate as in years past, he is still going to be tough to hit. If Peavy pitches well in his start(s), the Giants will have a good chance of advancing.
While Peavy will be looked at going into the NLCS as the most important player, if the game is close, don’t count out the other two making an impact. Role players can make a difference in close games, and there is no way of knowing who will change the outcome of a game in October.
• A.J. Pierzynski-St. Louis (C)
While Pierzynski probably won’t play much due to the fact that he is backing up Yadier Molina, he is still a valuable pinch hitter due to the fact that he is left-handed.
If he were to get into the game behind the plate, he is one of the smartest catchers in all of baseball. His high baseball IQ could be a factor in his series.