Chicago White Sox: ALDS roster has everything needed to win

It is postseason baseball. This is something that the Chicago White Sox haven’t been used to lately but they are looking like a team who is going to be here often. They won the American League Central in 2021 with a record of 93-69. It was as nice of a season as they have ever had as they make the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time ever.

On Wednesday afternoon, they officially announced that Lance Lynn will be the game one starter against the Houston Astros. They also confirmed that Lucas Giolito would get Friday’s afternoon game as well. That was pretty obvious based on how their final starts of the regular season worked out but it was nice to hear it from them.

Now, we had to wait until today to hear the official roster for the American League Division Series against the Houston Astros. It is going to be a very hard series so they need a lot of different players to step up and contribute.

The roster is officially out and there are some things that might surprise some people. This is a team with a really nice bullpen, great starting pitchers, and awesome hitters that play fine defense. It is going to be so fun to finally see this group play in the postseason with fans watching in attendance.

The Chicago White Sox has a very impactful roster heading into the ALDS.

The most notable thing is a decision made with starting pitching. Carlos Rodon is feeling good enough to be on the postseason roster. In his place, Dallas Keuchel missed the roster after a very underwhelming 2021 season. Outside of that, every pitcher on the roster is someone that you would expect to be there. Keuchel is on the Taxi Squad with other pitchers Ryan Burr, Matt Foster, Jace Fry, and Evan Marshall.

Zach Collins made the roster as the backup catcher to Yasmani Grandal. There was a back and forth between him and Seby Zavala all year long while Grandal was hurt. They both did well at certain times but Collins made the roster and Zavala is on the Taxi Squad.

Gavin Sheets made the roster which is not a surprise. He is listed as an infielder instead of an outfielder which is interesting. The big surprise on the infield is the fact that Danny Mendick made the roster. The idea is that he is a very solid defensive replacement late in games. Romy Gonzalez and Jake Burger are on the Taxi Squad for the infield.

The outfield is pretty chalk. Andrew Vaughn, Adam Engel, and Billy Hamilton are there with Luis Robert and Eloy Jimenez who are the two locks. Engel and Vaughn will likely play right field while Billy Hamilton is an outstanding late-inning speed threat. It is a very nice group in the outfield. Brian Goodwin is on the Taxi Squad.

If the big six of Yoan Moncada, Luis Robert, Tim Anderson, Jose Abreu, Yasmani Grandal, and Eloy Jimenez play to their potential along with the pitchers dominating, the White Sox can beat these Astros. Tony La Russa has a very good roster to play with here so it would be nice to see them go a long way.