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Plan blows up on White Sox as MLB playoff joyride meets harsh reality

Rookie right‑hander Hagen Smith and reliever Grant Taylor have been the focal points of Chicago’s ALDS effort, with Smith starting two games and Taylor appearing in two relief roles as the White Sox tried to stave off Cleveland’s Guardians. After taking a 2‑0 series lead, Chicago saw that advantage disappear, and the series is now tied heading into a decisive Game 5 on Saturday, Oct.

10, at Progressive Field.

The Sox’s rotation has been thin all season, relying on just three starters—Anthony Kay, Sean Burke and Davis Martin—to log the bulk of innings, leaving Smith to shoulder the load in the wild‑card round, Game 1 of the ALDS and again in Game 4, with a relief stint sandwiched into Game 3. The Guardians have capitalized on the White Sox’s diminishing returns, setting up a winner‑takes‑all finale.

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