White Sox hoping for best in Rodon's start vs. Reds Wednesday
The White Sox would likely still be in first place this season without Carlos Rodon, but the rise to the top of the AL Central would have been much more difficult.
Healthy and strong during the first half of the season, Rodon went 7-3 with a 2.31 ERA, struck out 130 over 89⅔ innings, pitched a no-hitter against the Indians and made his first trip to the All-Star Game.
The left-hander has been very good in the second half (5-2, 2.84 ERA), but a sore shoulder has limited Rodon to 38 innings over 8 starts.
In his last outing, against the Tigers on Sept. 20, Rodon lasted just 3 innings and was pulled after complaining of more discomfort.
There seemed to be a chance he was done for the season, but Rodon is going to start against the Reds Wednesday night at Guaranteed Rate Field.
The Sox aren't quite sure what to expect.
"That will be the classic example of observational analytics," manager Tony La Russa said. "We're just going to watch him throw that first pitch and the first inning and then see if it makes sense to send him out for the second. As always, you hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
"So hope for the best, he can go out there 4 or 5, 6 innings and if he doesn't we'll have somebody behind him. It's going to be an interesting night, an important, interesting night."
If he was healthy, Rodon would have a spot locked up in the White Sox's postseason rotation.
There are no guarantees, at least for now. On Sunday, Rodon threw a bullpen at Cleveland before the Sox played the Indians.
"I think it was just OK," La Russa said. "But in talking to him, he says he can take the ball Wednesday. He's just playing catch the next couple of days. He didn't really let it go to anything like gamelike. But he's good to try it on Wednesday, so we're anxious to see him."
Playoff watch:
The White Sox are almost certain to meet the Astros in the American League division series, with Game 1 set for Oct. 7.
The Sox are 2½ games behind Houston for home-field advantage in the final week of the regular season.
The White Sox (89-68) have two games left against the Reds and they close it out with three against the Tigers, all at Guaranteed Rate Field.
The Astros (91-65) also end the regular season at home and play three games against Tampa Bay and three vs. Oakland.
The Sox announced a limited amount of tickets for possible ALDS and ALCS games at Guaranteed Rate Field go on sale at 2 p.m. Wednesday. They are only available at whitesox.com.