Game Thread: Guardians at White Sox, ALDS Game 4

Back to the bump: Hagen Smith looks to put Game 3 in the rearview mirror with a strong start. | Photo by Jessie Alcheh/MLB Photos via Getty Images The White Sox (84-78) lost Game 3 by a score of 9-3, but they hold a 2-1 series lead over the Guardians (85-77) in the ALDS. Once again, as we approach t

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What is the story about?

The White Sox (84-78) lost Game 3 by a score of 9-3, but they hold a 2-1 series lead over the Guardians (85-77) in the ALDS. Once again, as we approach this game, the South Siders are one victory away from advancing to the ALCS.

Left-handed pitcher Hagen Smith, 23, will open on the mound for the South Siders. Smith posted a 1.29 ERA and a 2.35 FIP in 28 regular season innings. Smith accumulated 0.8 fWAR, a high total for a rookie with that few innings. During the regular season, Smith only allowed

two runs in 5 2/3 innings against Cleveland for a 3.18 ERA. In this series, Smith got the job done in Game 1, pitching 2 2/3 frames innings, but Game 3 was a different story. Yesterday, Smith allowed Jo Adell’s bases-clearing triple that put Cleveland ahead, 4-1, and the Guardians remained ahead from that point forward.

Parker Messick, 25, is a left-handed pitcher who presents a challenge for the South Siders. Messick had a breakout season, posting a 2.56 ERA and a 3.07 FIP in 186 1/3 innings, accumulating 4.9 fWAR along the way. During the regular season, Messick made four starts against the White Sox, and he had a 2.81 ERA in 25 2/3 innings, striking out 29 and only issuing five walks. Messick did not embarrass himself in Game 1 of this series, as he allowed two runs in 4 1/3 innings. However, the Guardians needed more from their ace, as Munetaka Murakami hit an enormous 440-foot two-run homer to right field off him. The White Sox proceeded to win that game, 3-0.

Here are this evening’s starting lineups:

Heading into this matchup, in terms of cWPA (Championship Win Probability Added), reliever Grant Taylor has been Chicago’s MVP this series. Taylor has pitched 5 1/3 shutout innings, only allowing three hits and tallying six strikeouts in the clutch. As a result of this strong performance, Grant Taylor has added 3.42 percentage points to the South Siders’ odds of winning the World Series. Starting pitcher Sean Burke (+3.00%) is next, and third baseman Miguel Vargas (+2.63%) is close behind on the podium. Although Hagen Smith has only been charged with one run in 3 1/3 innings, he is in the red at -0.73%, as Adell’s triple in Game 3 was an important moment. Smith looks to rebound with a strong appearance here.

This game is available on TBS/HBO Max and TruTV, WMVP 1000 AM will have the radio coverage. The first pitch is scheduled to happen at 7:00 p.m. CT. Will the South Siders pick up another postseason series victory? We will find out soon.