HOUSTON ASTROS (95-67) VS. CHICAGO WHITE SOX (93-69)
ALDS, GAME 1: RHP LANCE MCCULLERS JR. (13-5, 3.16) VS. LHP LANCE LYNN (11-6, 2.69)
HOUSTON ASTROS
TODAY’S GAME: The Astros and White Sox will play Game 1 of the American League Division Series today in an afternoon matinee at Minute Maid Park…the Astros Game 1 starter will be RHP Lance McCullers Jr., who dominated the White Sox in two starts this season, going 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA (3ER/13IP)…he’ll be opposed by RHP Lance Lynn, who’s struggled in his last three starts opposite Houston, to the tune of an 0-3 record and a 12.06 ERA (21ER/15.2IP).
TODAY’S STARTER: RHP Lance McCullers Jr. has been a big game pitcher his entire career, in which he’s posted a 3.28 ERA (17ER/46.2IP) in 14 postseason appearances (7 starts)…he’s coming off his best season as a pro this year, reaching career highs in wins (13), starts (28), innings (162.1) and strikeouts (185), while also posting the best ERA (3.16) and opponent batting average (.205) of his career…among qualifying AL pitchers, McCullers finished his season ranking first in opponent batting average (.205), first in opponent OPS (.628) and second in ERA (3.16).
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES: The Astros are making their 15th appearance in the postseason in club history in what is the 60th year of the franchise that began in 1962…this season marks the 10th time in club history for the Astros to enter the postseason as a division winner…these postseason appearances were made after winning the NL West (1980, 1986), NL Central (1997-99, 2001) and AL West (2017-19, 2021).
FIVE STRAIGHT: The Astros are playing in the postseason for the fifth straight year, which extends their franchise record, and for the sixth time in the last seven years (since 2015)…only the Yankees and Dodgers have also played in the last five postseasons.
DIVISION SERIES HISTORY: This marks the Astros 13th all-time appearance in the Division Series, going 6-6 in those previous 12…dating back to 2004, the Astros have won six of their last seven Division Series and have won four straight, dispatching the Red
Sox in 2017 (4g), the Indians in 2018 (3g), the Rays in 2019 (5g) and the A’s in 2020 (4g).
ABOUT THE ROSTER: The Astros have set their ALDS roster, which includes 12 pitchers, three catchers, five infielders and six outfielders…2B Jose Altuve and SS Carlos Correa lead the team in career postseason games with 63 each…a veteran team, the Astros roster only four players with no postseason playing experience: RHP Kendall Graveman, OF Chas McCormick, OF Jake Meyers and OF Jose Siri…also, the Astros will carry a nine-man Taxi Squad.
IN THE DUGOUTS: This series offers an intriguing matchup in the dugout between veteran managers Dusty Baker and Tony LaRussa…Baker is 11th all-time in postseason managerial wins with 31 and is the only manager in MLB history to win division titles with
five different clubs (Astros, Nationals, Reds, Cubs, Giants)…LaRussa counters with 70 career postseason wins, which ranks second all-time, picking those up with the White Sox, A’s and Cardinals.
TEAM RANKINGS: The Astros led the AL in runs (863), hits (1496), OBP (.339) and average (.267), while ranking second in OPS (.783)…the pitching staff allowed the third-fewest runs (658) in the AL and ranked fourth in ERA (3.76)…defensively, the Astros had the best fielding percentage (.988) in the Majors.
STUFF OF LEGENDS: SS Carlos Correa has 50 career postseason RBI, which ranks seventh on MLB’s all-time list, a list that includes Hall of Fame names like David Ortiz (61), Albert Pujols (54) and Reggie Jackson (48)…Correa has done that damage in just 63 games, while posting an .869 career postseason OPS.
BEAT THE BEST: 3B Alex Bregman has homered 11 times in the postseason, all off All-Stars…his list: LHP Chris Sale (2x), RHP Stephen Strasburg (2x), RHP Chris Bassitt, RHP Trevor Bauer, RHP Kenley Jansen, LHP Clayton Kershaw, RHP Corey Kluber, RHP Fernando Rodney and LHP Blake Snell.
VS. THE SOX: This series features the AL West Champion Astros vs. the AL Central Champion White Sox…below are a few notes on the series. • the Astros went 5-2 against the White Sox this season, including a four-game sweep in Houston. • the series will also feature the top two starting pitching staffs in the AL, with the White Sox staff (3.57) ranking first in starter’s ERA and the Astros (3.60) second. • offensively, expect traffic, as the Astros (.339) and White Sox (.336) rank first and second in the AL in team OBP.
WE MEET AGAIN: This series is the second postseason matchup between the Astros and White Sox, who last saw each other in October in the 2005 World Series, which ended in a four-game sweep by the White Sox…the series was a lot closer than face
value, as all four games of that series were determined by two-or-fewer runs.
TODAY’S ASTROS STARTER: RHP LANCE MCCULLERS JR
LAST START – 9/30 vs. TB: picked up his 3rd win of the season last Thursday vs. TB after tossing 6.0 innings, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits…issued only 1 walk and fanned 4 in the eventual 3-2 Astros win.
ABOUT MCCULLERS: fiery starting pitcher made 28 starts this season, allowing 3-or-fewer runs in 23 of his 28 outings.
• veteran of 6 MLB season, reached career highs this season in starts (28), wins (13), innings pitched (162.1) and strikeouts (185).
• including minor league action, his career high for innings pitched in a single season was 157.2, which was reached in 2015 between minor league and Major League action.
• among qualifying pitchers, ranked second in the AL in ERA (3.16), trailing only LHP Robbie Ray (2.84).
• allowed just 13 homers in his 162.1 innings this season, giving him the lowest home runs per 9.0 ratio (0.72) in the AL…he also led the AL in opponent batting average (.205) and opponent OPS (.628), while ranking 4th in strikeouts per 9.0 (10.26).
• also ranked 1st in the AL in ground ball percentage (56.9) and 2nd in ground ball to fly ball ratio (2.44).
• held right-handed hitters to a .188 (59×313) average, while lefties posted a .223 (63×283) average against McCullers.
• had been on a strong run of strikeouts, compiling at least 7 strikeouts in 13 of his final 17 starts…went 6 straight starts with 8+ strikeouts from July 2-Aug. 3.
• has been healthy for most of the season, outside of a 3-week stint on the IL from May 23-June 15 (right shoulder soreness).
• tied his career high with a 5-game winning streak from April 30-July 2, which spanned 9 starts…had also posted a 5-game streak back in 2017.
LANCE’S REPERTOIRE: has showcased a new slider this season, throwing it 23.9% of the time…has thrown the pitch on 710 occasions, with opponents going 24×158 (.152) when they put it in play. • still relies heavily on his famous curveball (25%) and his hard fastball (34%), while mixing in changeups (13.8%) and cutters (3.3%).
HOMEBOY: has posted incredible career numbers at Minute Maid Park. • ranks 4th in Minute Maid Park history in career ERA (2.77), trailing only RHP Roger Clemens (2.55), RHP Justin Verlander (2.65) and RHP Gerrit Cole (2.68) (min. 200 IP)…went 6-3 with a 3.51 ERA in 16 starts at home this season. • extended that success into road games this season…on the road in 2021, he went 7-2 with a 2.70 ERA (21ER/70IP) in 12 road starts. vs. CWS: in his career vs. the White Sox, he’s posted a 4-1 record and a 2.17 ERA (9ER/37.1IP) with 43 strikeouts in 6 starts…dominated the White Sox in two starts this season, going 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA (3ER/13IP) with 14 strikeouts in 13 innings pitched. • last faced the Sox on July 16 at CWS, posting a 10-strikeout game, while allowing just 2 hits in 7.0 innings in the Astros 7-1 win.
IN THE POSTSEASON: has posted a 3.28 ERA (17ER/46.2IP) in 14 career postseason appearances (7 starts)…has started some of the biggest games in club history, including two Game 7s (2017 WS, 2021 LCS)… also, famously threw 24 straight curveballs to end Game 7 of the 2017 ALCS vs. NYY, to push the Astros in the 2017 World Series.
MCCULLERS WITH THE ASTROS: the 2017 AL All-Star signed a long-term contract with the Astros on March 26…the 5-year deal will begin in 2022 and will keep him in an Astros uniform through the 2026 season
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
WHITE SOX AT A GLANCE
The Chicago White Sox (93-69) have won six of their last seven games as they open the American League Division Series this afternoon against the Houston Astros.
RHP Lance Lynn is scheduled to start for the White Sox, who won the AL Central by 13.0 games over Cleveland … Lynn will be followed tomorrow by RHP Lucas Giolito in Game 2.
The White Sox have qualified for the postseason for the 11th time in franchise history and first time ever in back-to-back seasons … following these two games, the series shifts to Chicago for Games 3 and 4 (if necessary).
The winner of this series will face the winner of the Boston/ Tampa Bay matchup in the ALCS … the Sox have not hosted a playoff game since losing Game 4 of the 2008 ALDS to Tampa Bay on 10/6/08 and have not won a playoff series since sweeping the Astros in the 2005 World Series.
TODAY’S STORYLINES
This series features a matchup of managers Tony La Russa (77) and Dusty Baker (72), who have won a combined 4,808 games at the helm of major-league clubs.
The White Sox went 53-28 at home this season but were 40-41 on the road, including a 6-11 record at AL West opponents. l Lance Lynn, whose 2.69 ERA led all American League pitchers with at least 150.0 IP, will make his 27th career playoff appearance and eighth start … Lynn is 5-7 with a 4.41 ERA (40 ER/81.2 IP) and 98 strikeouts in 14 career games (13 starts) vs. Houston. l José Abreu recorded his fifth career 30-home run, 100-RBI season in 2021, tied with Paul Konerko for second in franchise history behind HOF Frank Thomas (eight).
Tim Anderson went 9-14 (.643) in the 2020 ALWC Series at Oakland, collecting three hits in all three games … the nine hits over his first three postseason games are the most in MLB history … Anderson joined St. Louis HOF Lou Brock (1968 World Series Games 3-5) as the only players in history with three straight three-hit efforts in the playoffs.
Yasmani Grandal is hitting .337/.481/.673 (33-98) with nine home runs, 24 RBI and 18 runs scored in 30 games since returning from the injured list on 8/27. l Luis Robert is batting .350/.389/.622 (63-180) with 13 doubles, 12 homers, 35 RBI and 31 runs scored in 43 games since returning from the injured list on 8/9.
ABOUT THE ROSTER
Prior to today’s game, the White Sox finalized their 26-player roster and nine-player taxi squad for the ALDS vs. Houston … the roster includes 12 pitchers (three LHP), two catchers, seven infielders and five outfielders.
HOW THE CENTRAL WAS WON
The White Sox went 93-69 in 2021 under Hall-of-Fame manager Tony La Russa to finish 13.0 games ahead of Cleveland and capture their first American League Central title since 2008 and the fifth division title since 1969.
The 93 wins were the most for the White Sox since 2005 when they won the World Series after a 99-63 regular season … their 13.0-game margin of victory over the Indians was the second-largest in franchise history behind the 1983 club (20.0), also managed by La Russa.
Despite the extended absences of C Yasmani Grandal and OFs Eloy Jiménez and Luis Robert, the White Sox recorded a winning
record in all six months of the season despite not recording a winning streak of longer than six games.
VIEW FROM THE TOP
The White Sox were in first place for 152 days in 2021 (every day since 5/7), the third-highest total in franchise history behind the 2005 (183) and 2000 (169) clubs.
The Sox moved into first place for good with a 3-0 victory at Kansas City on 5/7, took an 8.0-game lead into the All-Star Break, and their lead was never smaller than 9.0 games after 8/1.
They were a season-high 25 games over .500 on 10/2 (93-68) and led the division by as much as 14.0 games, also on 10/2. l Per STATS, the Sox owned a 10.0-plus game lead at any point in one season for the fifth time in franchise history.
WINNING WAYS
The White Sox recorded a winning record in all sixth months in 2021 and have posted eight straight winning months dating back to last season, their longest streak since a nine-month run from June 1993-August 1994.
This season marks the first time since 1963 that the Sox have posted a winning record in all six months of a season.
WHITE SOX VS. HOUSTON ASTROS
The Astros won the regular-season series, 5-2, sweeping a four-game set from 6/17-20 at Minute Maid Park before losing two of three games in Chicago to open the second half (7/16-18). l The White Sox batted .200/.282/.377 (44-220) with a 4.70 ERA (31 ER/59.1 IP) and were outscored, 35-23.
The Sox are 12-22 all-time in Houston, including a 11-20 record at Minute Maid Park … they have lost four straight games in Houston and are 2-10 since 7/5/18.
The White Sox swept the Astros in the 2005 World Series.
ONE FOR THE AGES
Tony La Russa (77) ranks second on the all-time managerial wins list with 2,821, while Dusty Baker (72) is 12th at 1,987.
The all-time series between the two managers is even at 104-104 … Baker’s San Francisco Giants beat La Russa’s St. Louis Cardinals in five games in the 2002 NLCS in the only previous playoff matchup between the two managers.
La Russa managed Baker with Oakland in 1986, and they were teammates with Atlanta in 1971.
The White Sox game on 6/17 at Houston marked the first MLB game with two managers 70-plus years of age since 8/2/06 when San Francisco’s Felipe Alou (71) faced Washington’s Frank Robinson (70) … Elias.
BEEN THERE, DONE THAT
Twenty-one members of the White Sox 26-man roster for the ALDS possess postseason experience, led by C Yasmani Grandal (36) and RHP Lance Lynn (26) and RHP Craig Kimbrel (20). l Kimbrel (2018 with Boston), Dallas Keuchel (2017 with Houston) and Lynn (2011 with St. Louis) each have won a World Series title, while Grandal has played in seven Fall Classic Games. l Manager Tony La Russa owns a 70-58 record in the postseason, winning World Series titles with Oakland in 1989 and St. Louis in 2006 and 2011, his final season before retiring.
PITCHING PROWESS
The White Sox ranked sixth in the major leagues with a 3.81 ERA in 2021, which was their lowest mark since 2005 (3.61) … the starting rotation ranked eighth in the majors with a 3.85 ERA, its lowest mark since 2005 (3.75).
GRAB SOME BENCH
White Sox pitchers set new franchise records this season in strikeouts (1,588), strikeouts per 9.0 IP (10.18) and strikeout percentage (.279), as well as strikeouts by the starting rotation (944) and bullpen (644).
The Sox ranked second in MLB behind Milwaukee with 1,588 strikeouts, breaking the club record of 1,359 set in 2015 … they led the majors with an average of 10.18 strikeouts per 9.0 IP.
The White Sox featured six pitchers with 100-plus strikeouts this season, tied with the Brewers for the most in baseball.
Dylan Cease (226) and Lucas Giolito (201) became just the second set of White Sox teammates to record 200-plus strikeouts in a season, joining Tom Bradley (206) and Wilbur Wood (210) in 1971.
STARTING POINT
The White Sox starting rotation ranked among the major-leagues in strikeouts (2nd, 944), strikeouts per 9.0 IP (2nd, 9.93), opponents average (3rd, .227), opponents OBP (3rd, .292), wins (T3rd, 61), ERA (4th, 3.57), opponents SLG (4th, .380) and opponents OPS (4th, .672).
HOF AT THE HELM
HOF manager Tony La Russa returned to the dugout in 2021 following a 10-year absence.
La Russa, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014, has reached the postseason for the 15th time in his career and ninth time in his last 13 seasons … he is the first manager in MLB history to reach the postseason in five different decades.
At age 77 years and three days as of 10/7, La Russa is the third-oldest manager in MLB history, trailing only Connie Mack (87.283 in 1950) and Jack McKeon (80.309 in 2011) and the oldest to manage in the postseason.
La Russa made his first postseason appearance with the White Sox in 1983, losing to Baltimore in the ALCS in four games … the 38-year between his first and most recent postseason appearance is the largest gap in MLB history.
WHAT A DIFFERENCE
The White Sox ranked fourth in the American League with a +160 run differential, trailing only Tampa Bay (+206), Houston (+205) and Toronto (+183).
#33 STARTER LANCE LYNN RHP
LYNN AT A GLANCE
Is scheduled to make his eighth career postseason start (27th appearance), third (ninth) in the Division Series and first against Houston … is making his first postseason appearance since 10/8/18 vs. Boston with New York-AL and first start since 10/12/14 vs. San Francisco with St. Louis.
Is making his seventh career trip to the Postseason and first since 2018 with the Yankees … went to the Postseason five straight seasons with the Cardinals from 2011-15 … won the World Series in 2011 with Tony La Russa as his manager.
Has gone 1-3 with a 4.72 ERA (18 ER/34.1 IP), 36 strikeouts and .277 (38-137) opponents average in his seven career postseason starts … last won a postseason start on 10/5/13 in the NLCS at the Dodgers.
Signed a two-year contract extension with a club option with the White Sox on 7/17 … under terms of the extension, he will receive $18.5 million in both 2022 and 2023, with the Sox holding an $18-million option for 2024 with a $1-million buyout.
Pitched 1.0 scoreless IP with one strikeout in the 2021 All-Star Game … marked his second career All-Star selection (also 2012).
Was on the 10-day injured list twice from 4/18-5/1 with a right trapezius strain and 8/31-9/10 with right knee inflammation.
Was acquired from Texas in exchange for RHP Dane Dunning and LHP Avery Weems on 12/8/20.
LAST POSTSEASON START
Received a no decision on 10/12/14 in Game 2 of the NLCS vs. San Francisco … allowed two runs on six hits with one walks and three strikeouts over 5.2 IP … threw 98 pitches (67 strikes).
Held the Giants scoreless through the first four innings … allowed an RBI groundout to Joaquin Arias in the fifth and RBI single to Hunter Pence in the sixth … departed the game in the sixth with the game tied, 2-2 … Kolten Wong hit a game-ending, solo home run in the ninth to give the Cardinals the 5-4 victory.
2021 SEASON IN REVIEW
Ranked among the American League leaders in numerous categories among pitchers with at least 150.0 IP (see box at right) in his first season with the White Sox … fell 5.0 IP short of becoming the first Sox pitcher to lead the AL in ERA since Joel Horlen (2.06) in 1967.
Finished 12th in the AL (fourth on the Sox) with 176 strikeouts, the fifth time in his career he has fanned 175- plus batters … averaged more than 10.0 strikeouts per 9.0 IP (10.09) for the third time in the last four seasons.
Allowed three runs or less in 24 of 28 starts … made five scoreless starts and gave up one run 12 times … gave up eight hits or less in every start and held the opposition to four hits or less 16 times … struck out 10-plus batters twice and fanned nine on four occasions … threw 7.0-plus IP five times and made 13 quality starts.
Relied on five pitches during the season: four-seam fastball (42.2 percent), cutter (30.7), sinker (19.1), changeup (4.9) and curveball (3.1) … averaged 94.0 mph on his four-seam fastball.
ROAD TRIPPIN’
Has gone 3-1 with a 4.03 ERA (10 ER/22.1 IP), 21 strikeouts and .295 (26-88) opponents average in 12 games (three starts) on the road in the postseason.
Went 3-2 with a 2.55 ERA (12 ER/42.1 IP) in his last seven road starts of the regular season … has allowed one earned run or less in six starts, of those seven starts.
VS. HOUSTON ASTROS
Is scheduled to make his first career postseason appearance against Houston … has made 13 career starts (14th appearances) against the Astros in the regular season (see game log at right).
Has gone 0-5 with an 8.80 ERA (29 ER/29.2 IP) and .323 (42-130) opponents average in his last five starts against Houston and 0-6 with a 6.28 ERA (27 ER/38.2 IP) and .261 (41-157) opponents average over his last six starts at Minute Maid Park.
BULLPEN NOTES
SOX BULLPEN Last: N/A
ALDS: N/A Post: N/A
SV: 43-68 (63.2) | IR/IRS: 201/70 (34.8) | 1st Batter: 100-455 (.220)
Season Highs: IP – 8.0 (8/27 vs. CUBS) | SO – 11 (8/27 vs. CUBS)
Relievers went 32-29 with a 3.97 ERA (242 ER/548.0 IP) and .233 (477-2,047) opponents average over 158 games in 2021.
White Sox relievers set a club single-season record with 636 strikeouts this season, surpassing the previous single-season record of 580 set in 2018.
Sox relievers averaged 10.58 strikeouts per 9.0 IP, the second-most in the major leagues.
#39 AARON BUMMER LHP | 6-3 | 215
IR/IRS: 20/7 (35.0) 1st Batter: 8-51 (.157)
Current Streak: 13 G (11.0 IP) | Career Highs: IP – 2.0 (13x) | SO – 4
Last Outing: 10/2 vs. DET (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 SO)
Is making his second trip to the Postseason … appeared in two games in the 2020 Wild Card Series at Oakland, tossing 1.1 scoreless IP with one strikeout.
Ended the 2021 season on a career-high 13-game, 11.0-IP scoreless streak … struck out 11 batters while walking just one during the streak.
#45 GARRETT CROCHET LHP | 6-6 | 230
IR/IRS: 23/8 (34.8) 1st Batter: 13-49 (.265)
Current Streak: 2 G (1.1 IP) | Career Highs: IP – 3.0 | SO – 4 (2x)
Last Outing: 10/1 vs. DET (HLD; 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 SO)
Makes his second trip to the Postseason in just his second career season in the majors … made one appearance in last season’s Wild Card Series at Oakland, striking out the only two batters he faced before leaving with left forearm tightness
Went 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA (7 ER/25.2 IP) and .202 (18-89) opponents average over his last 25 outings (21 scoreless) to close
out the 2021 season.
#31 LIAM HENDRIKS RHP | 6-0 | 235
IR/IRS: 30/3 (10.0) 1st Batter: 7-66 (.106)
Current Streak: 15 G (15.2 IP) | Career Highs: IP – 6.0 | SO – 8
Last Outing: 10/2 vs. DET (SV; 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO)
Ranked among 2021 MLB relievers in strikeouts (1st, 113), WHIP (1st, 0.73), IRS % (1st, 10.0), saves (T2nd, 38), SO/9.0 IP (7th, 14.32) and wins (T8th, 8).
Is making his fifth trip to the Postseason and third with a different team (TOR in 2015 and OAK in 2018-20) … is 1-1 with a 1.11 ERA (7 ER/12.2 IP), one save and 16 strikeouts in eight career games (one start) in the playoffs.
Threw 3.0 scoreless IP in Game 3 of the 2020 ALDS against Houston … struck out four, allowed one hit and did not issue a walk.
Finished the 2021 season with a 15-game, 15.2-IP scoreless streak, holding opponents to a .132 (7-53) average with zero walks and 23 strikeouts.
#46 CRAIG KIMBREL RHP | 6-0 | 215
IR/IRS: 15/1 (6.7) 1st Batter: 9-55 (.164)
Current Streak: 1 G (1.0 IP) | Career Highs: IP – 2.0 (4x) | SO – 5 (3x)
Last Outing: 10/1 vs. DET (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO)
Ranked among 2021 MLB relievers in SO/9.0 IP (3rd, 15.08), opponents average (3rd, .150) and strikeouts (5th, 100).
Makes his seventh trip to the Postseason and fourth with a different team (ATL in 2010, ‘12-13, BOS in 2016-18 and Cubs in 2020) … is 0-1 with a 1.27 ERA (9 ER/22.0 IP), seven saves and 27 strikeouts in 20 career relief outings in the playoffs.
Nine of his last 14 appearances of the regular season were scoreless … owned a 3.09 ERA (4 ER/11.2 IP) in his last 12 outings.
#34 MICHAEL KOPECH RHP | 6-3 | 210
IR/IRS: 8/2 (25.0) 1st Batter: 7-39 (.179)
Current Streak: None | Career Highs: IP – 3.0 (3x) | SO – 6
Last Outing: 10/3 vs. DET (3.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R/ER, 0 BB, 6 SO)
Is making his first career trip to the Postseason … opted out of the 2020 season.
Posted a 1.76 ERA (3 ER/15.1 IP), 26 strikeouts and .185 (10- 54) opponents average over his last nine appearances (one start) of the regular season.
Went 3-3 with a 3.90 ERA (24 ER/55.1 IP), 14 holds and 80 strikeouts in 40 relief appearances this season.
#40 REYNALDO LÓPEZ RHP | 6-1| 225
IR/IRS: 1/0 (0.0) 1st Batter: 2-10 (.200)
Current Streak: None | Career Highs: IP – 5.1 | SO – 7
Last Outing: 10/3 vs. DET (0.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R/ER, 1 HR, 1 BB, 0 SO)
Is making his second career trip to the Postseason … appeared in one game of the 2020 Wild Card Series at Oakland, allowing one run on two hits with one walk and three strikeouts over 2.0 IP.
Went 2-1 with a 2.21 ERA (5 ER/20.1 IP), 22 strikeouts and .147 (10-68) opponents average in 11 relief outings this season.
#66 JOSÉ RUIZ RHP | 6-1| 245
IR/IRS: 22/14 (63.6) 1st Batter: 12-55 (.218)
Current Streak: 2 G (2.0 IP) | Career Highs: IP – 2.0 (10x) | SO – 4 (3x)
Last Outing: 9/28 vs. CIN (1.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 SO)
Is set to make his first career trip to the Postseason.
Made 17 scoreless appearances over his last 20 outings of the regular season, posting a 2.08 ERA (5 ER/21.2 IP), 21 strikeouts and a .185 (15-81) opponents average.
#51 RYAN TEPERA RHP | 6-1|195
IR/IRS: 37/10 (27.0) 1st Batter: 13-55 (.236)
Current Streak: 2 G (2.0 IP) | Career Highs: IP – 3.1 | SO – 5
Last Outing: 10/3 vs. DET (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO)
Ranked among 2021 MLB relievers in WHIP (4th, 0.88), opponents average (7th, .164) and holds (T10th, 22).
Is making his fourth his career trip to the Postseason (TOR in 2015-16 and Cubs in 2020) … has appeared in three career games in the playoffs, posting a 2.67 ERA (4 ER/3.0 IP) with three walks and two strikeouts.
Owned a 1.90 ERA (5 ER/23.2 IP) and 33 strikeouts over his last 27 appearances of the 2021 season … opponents went 16-85 (.188) during that span.
