Southside Showdown Wild Card Series Predictions

American League

Chicago White Sox (7) vs Oakland Athletics (2)

Vinnie Parise – Site Expert:

I believe that the White Sox will find a way to win this series. Their best chance of doing it is by winning both of the first two games but I also believe they could win a game three if necessary. One of the best players on Oakland in Matt Chapman is out for the season and the rest of their lineup shouldn’t really compare to the White Sox.

The White Sox probably has better pitching at the top of their rotation but is less deep there. It feels like if any team could go on the road and win a short series here, it is the White Sox with Lucas Giolito and Dallas Keuchel set to start the first two games. White Sox in Two.

Samiya Green:

The most improved baseball franchise this year has without a doubt been the Chicago White Sox and I think we have not seen the last of them yet. The White Sox have a trio of hot bats going into the postseason. Jose Abreu is one of them who happens to be one of the most accurate power hitters in the league. Tim Anderson and Eloy Jimenez are also a dangerous pair for the Athletics pitchers to face, so the Chicago White Sox have the upper hand there. The Athletics have some young talented hitters but they have been frequently inconsistent at the plate. The Oakland Athletics are ranked 25th in team batting average with a .225 on the season which is something Lucas Giolito can take advantage of in the first game.

Mitchell Kaminski:

Despite the five seed difference the A’s only finished a game ahead of the White Sox in the regular season. The White Sox have a great one-two punch at the top of the rotation with Lucas Giolito and Dallas Keuchal. Despite recent struggles, their offense has also been elite this season. The A’s won’t be able to start their ace Chris Bassitt Game 1 because he would be pitching on short rest and their best player Matt Chapman is lost for the season. The A’s will not be able to keep up offensively. Prediction: White Sox in 2

Cody Young:

Sox in 3. Got to go with the hometown White Sox here. I think in a 3 game series the Sox bats can keep them alive while getting enough pitching to get by.

Jon Michael Walters:

White Sox defeat A’s – in the movie/book Moneyball, it’s said that Billy Bean’s methods don’t work in the playoffs.