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White Sox pitchers ready for wherever they're needed in ALDS finale

The Chicago White Sox face a pivotal moment in their American League Division Series run after falling short twice at home, leaving their pitching staff scrambling for a Game 5 strategy. The team’s unconventional bullpen approach backfired in Game 4, where they deployed seven relievers—including closer Grant Taylor—while allowing six runs in the sixth inning, handing Cleveland a 9-5 victory.

Manager Will Venable must now decide how to best utilize right-hander Sean Burke, who excelled in Game 2 with six strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings but remains unassigned for Saturday’s clincher at Progressive Field. The White Sox also need to curb their recent struggles with free passes, walking 17 batters in their last two losses, while Cleveland’s bullpen fatigue could play into their favor after Gavin Williams and closer Cade Smith combined for 49 pitches in relief Thursday night.

Veteran reliever Erick Fedde, who pitched 61 pitches in Game 4, is expected to sit out the finale, while rookie lefty Hagen Smith’s consecutive-day outing added another layer of uncertainty to Chicago’s rotation planning.

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