Three-Game Series at Detroit Tigers
Tigers win series 2-1 (including 9/27 makeup)
Monday, September 20, 2021 at 5:40 pm CDT
Comerica Park
Carlos Rodón, LHP vs.
Tigers / Matt Manning, RHP
L, 4-3, 85-65 (.567), L1 | LP: Craig Kimbrel (4-5, 2.26) | Game 150
DEFENSE: Carlos Rodón gives up 3 R (2 ER) on 2 H (2 BB, 6 SO) in 3.0 IP. José Ruiz allows 1 H and strikes out 2 (0 BB) in the 4th and 5th. Garrett Crochet goes 1-2-3 (1 SO) in the 6th, as does Ryan Burr (2 SO) in the 7th. In the 8th, Craig Kimbrel goes FO, K, HBP (steals 2B), then gives up the winning run on an RBI 1B by Harold Castro that scores Robbie Grossman from 2B. Kimbrel throws a FO to end the inning. OFFENSE: Tigers starter Matt Manning gives up the 3 R/ER on 4 H (3 BB, 2 SO) in 5.0 IP. The bullpen allows just 1 hit and strikes out 5. In the 3rd, with bases loaded, Brian Goodwin (walked) scores as Yoán Moncada reaches on a FC, Yasmani Grandal sac fly scores Tim Anderson (singled), and Eloy Jiménez RBI 2B brings in Moncada. Tigers closer Alex Lange retires the bottom third of the lineup for his first MLB save. Miguel Cabrera records his 1,800th career RBI on a sac fly in the 3rd that ties the game at 3. Watch game highlights on mlb.com:
September 21—Adam Engel activated from IL
Tuesday, September 21, 2021 at 5:40 pm CDT – moved up to 12:10 pm CDT, due to expected inclement weather
Comerica Park
Dallas Keuchel, LHP vs.
Tigers / Tyler Alexander, LHP
L, 5-3, 85-66 (.563), L2 | LP: Jace Fry (0-1, 10.80) | Game 151
Due to some outstanding fielding on both sides, the Tigers knock 16 hits, stranding 10, and the White Sox hit 12, stranding 13. Each pitching staff throws just one 1-2-3 inning. DEFENSE: Dallas Keuchel gives up 11 H this time, but limits the damage to 2 R/ER (1 BB, 2 SO) in 5.0 IP. Jace Fry takes the mound in the 6th, going 1B, FC, 5-4-3 DP, then gives up the game in the 7th—1B, 1B, 5-4-3 DP, RBI 1B, [SB on WP] BB. On this 28th birthday, Aaron Bummer steps in. He issues a [double steal] BB, then gives up the two inherited runs on a 2-RBI 1B that results in the third out at 3B, on the throw from first. Liam Hendriks goes 1-2-3 (2 SO–K) in the 8th. OFFENSE: Luis Robert 2-RBI 1B brings in Cesar Hernández (singled) and Tim Anderson (doubled), in the 3rd. Tim Anderson RBI 1B scores Adam Engel (doubled) in the 8th. Watch game highlights on mlb.com:
Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at 12:10 pm CDT – Rained Out
Comerica Park
Reynaldo López, RHP vs.
Tigers / Casey Mize, RHP
Postponed due to rain. Rescheduled for September 23 at 12:10 pm CDT.
Five-Game Series at Cleveland Indians (including 6/10 makeup)
White Sox win series 3-2
September 23—Andrew Vaughn activated from IL
Thursday, September 23, 2021 at 12:10 pm CDT
Progressive Field – makeup of June 10 (7 innings)
Reynaldo López, RHP vs.
Indians / Aaron Civale, RHP
W, 7-2, 86-66 (.567), W1 | WP: Aaron Bummer (4-5, 3.78) | Game 152
Contestants representing both teams stage a mini home run derby in Cleveland. DEFENSE: Reynaldo López gives up 2 R/ER on 4 H (0 BB, 4 SO) on 3⅓ IP. Garret Crochet finishes off the 4th with a 1B and a 6-4-3 DP. Aaron Bummer retires 3 in order (1 SO) in the 5th, for the win. Craig Kimbrel walks 2 and retires 3 (0 SO) in the 6th. Liam Hendriks closes with FO, 1B, GO, [WP–runner steals 3B] SO. OFFENSE: Lead-off man Tim Anderson sets the tone with a solo HR (15) off the 3rd pitch of the game. The Sox pull off a major rally in the 2nd—Luis Robert (9) and Eloy Jiménez (9) slam back-to-back solo HRs, Tim Anderson 3-run HR (16) brings home Leury García (singled) and César Hernández (singled). Finally, Luis Robert RBI 1B scores Yoán Moncada (walked, advanced to 2B on José Abreu BB). After that, the bats are pretty quiet. But it’s more than enough for a win and the central division title. Watch game highlights on mlb.com:
White Sox Clinch AL Central
September 23—With today’s game 1 win, the White Sox clinch the American League Central Division title.
Thursday, September 23, 2021 at 5:10 pm CDT
Progressive Field – (7-inning game)
Michael Kopech, RHP vs.
Indians / Zach Plesac, RHP
L, 5-3, 86-67 (.562), L1 | LP: José Ruiz (1-3, 3.14) | Game 153
Game highlights on mlb.com
Friday, September 24, 2021 at 6:10 pm CDT
Progressive Field
Dylan Cease, RHP vs.
Indians / Not Justin, RHP
W, 1-0, 87-67 (.565), W1 | WP: Dylan Cease (13-7, 3.95) | S: Liam Hendriks (35) | Game 154
DEFENSE: In what turns out to be a suspenseful pitching duel, Dylan Cease pitches brilliantly, striking out 9 (3 H, 0 R, 0 BB) in 5⅓ IP, before taking a hard-hit comebacker to or just above the elbow of his throwing arm that ends the outing. Aaron Burr inherits a runner and allows two more hits. But a bad base running decision on the second hit catches Bradley Zimmer in a rundown between 3B and Home that results in the second out. Burr throws a K to end the 6th. Aaron Bummer goes SO, 1B, GO, K, in the 7th. Craig Kimbrel delivers 3 consecutive Ks, in the 8th. Liam Hendriks closes with a K and 2 GOs, for the save. OFFENSE: In his first outing since June 13, Indians starter Shane Bieber retires 9 White Sox in a row (3 SO) then calls it a day. The Indians bull pen is also formidable, giving up just 1 R—a solo HR (10) by Luis Robert—on 5 hits (0 BB, 8 SO). Watch game highlights on mlb.com:
➤ Injury – Dylan Cease leaves game in the 6th
Cease Injury Update
September 25—X-rays of Dylan Cease‘s throwing arm are negative. He has a bruised right triceps. Says Cease, “It feels good now. I don’t anticipate on missing any time.” Officially, he is day to day.
Saturday, September 25, 2021 at 5:10 pm CDT
Progressive Field
Lance Lynn, RHP vs.
Indians / Eli Morgan, RHP
L, 6-0, 87-68 (.561), L1 | LP: Lance Lynn (10-6, 2.72) | Game 155
DEFENSE: Not Lance Lynn‘s best game, although it *probably* does not indicate trouble for the playoffs. He had command of his stuff through much of the outing, and 2 of the 6 R/ER given up in 6.0 IP were arguably errors (7 H, 0 BB, 6 SO). After giving up the third run in the 3rd, Lynn retired nine in a row. At one point, Lynn appeared uncomfortable and took a few warmup pitches during a mound visit to assess the situation. Lynn brushed it off, insisting he had “tweaked” his back, then finished out the inning. José Ruiz went 1-2-3 (1 SO) in the 7th. Ryan Burr allowed 1 H and struck out 3 in the 8th. OFFENSE: Indians starter Eli Morgan had a great outing, allowing just 1 H (1 BB, 6 SO) in 6.0 IP. The Indians bullpen allowed just 2 H more (1 BB, 2 SO) to clinch the shutout. Watch game highlights on mlb.com:
Rays Clinch AL East
September 25—With today’s 7-3 win over the Marlins, the Rays clinch the American League Eastern Division title.
Sunday, September 26, 2021 at 12:10 pm CDT
Progressive Field
Lucas Giolito, RHP vs.
Indians / Triston McKenzie, RHP
W, 5-2, 88-68, (.564), W1 | WP: Lucas Giolito (11-9, 3.58) | S: Liam Hendriks (36) | Game 156
➤ This was to have been the last home game for the Indians as the Indians, but a makeup game against the Royals tomorrow (9/27/2021) will be the actual historic last home contest of the Indians Era.
DEFENSE: Another gem from Lucas Giolito. He falls behind in the count often, but makes good pitches when needed and gets a lot of hitters to chase—0 R on 5 H (1 BB, 6 SO) in 6.0 IP. Michael Kopech struggles in the 7th, allowing three consecutive base hits, giving up a run on the third. He retires the next batter (FO), before Garrett Crochet steps in to end the inning with a 5-4-3 DP. Craig Kimbrel looks a bit shaky in the 8th. He gives up a HR and retires the other 3 of 4 he faces. Liam Hendriks goes K, GO, 1B, GO, for the save. OFFENSE: Yasmani Grandal 1B scores Tim Anderson (walked, advanced to 2B on José Abreu 1B), in the 1st. Eloy Jiménez 2-RBI 1B, in the 3rd, brings in Leury Garcia (doubled) and José Abreu (walked, advanced to 2B on Yasmani Grandal walk). In the 6th, Leury Garcia RBI 1B brings home Andrew Vaughn (singled, advanced to 2B on Billy Hamilton sac bunt). Billy Hamilton steals Home in the 8th (singled, advanced to 3B on Tim Anderson 1B). Watch game highlights on mlb.com:
Brian Goodwin Injured
September 26—Brian Goodwin has been placed on the 10-day injured list lower back spasms.
Brewers Clinch NL Central
September 26—With today’s 8-4 win over the Mets, the Brewers clinch the National League Central Division title.
Dodgers to NL Wild Card Game
September 26—With today’s 3-0 win over the Diamondbacks, the Dodgers clinch the first spot in the National League Wild Card Game, on October 6. They remain in the running for the NL West title, with the Giants in 1st place.