Boston Red Sox Archives - Chris Ricchetti

American League Championship Series – October 15-23, 2021

2021 MLB ALCS Light Banner — MLB Advanced Media, LP

American League Championship Series

Houston Astros vs. Boston Red Sox
Best-of-Seven Series

Astros win series 4-2,
win American League Pennant,
advance to World Series

PRE-SERIES CONTENT

➤ Astros ace Lance McCullers, Jr. is not expected to pitch in the ALCS vs. the Red Sox. McCullers was taken out of ALDS Game 4 against the White Sox with “forearm stiffness.” Unofficially, McCullers is not available due to a strained forearm. This changes everything!

Update from Dusty Baker on Lance McCullers, Jr.’s injury

Mark DeRosa on Astros-Red Sox matchup on MLB Network

Analysts on impact of Lance McCullers, Jr.’s absence from ALCS on MLB Network

Sarah Langs looks at both Championship Series on The Beat Report

Alex Cora talks pitchers for Games 1 & 2 and preparing for ALCS

J.D. Martinez workout day presser

Dusty Baker looks ahead to ALCS, thoughts on home field advantage

Mark DeRosa on elements of the “Green Monster”

ALCS GAME 1

Friday, October 15, 2021 at 7:08 pm CDT
Minute Maid Park
Red Sox / Chris Sale, LHP at
Astros / Framber Valdez, LHP
On FOX

Red Sox 4 – Astros 5
WP: Ryne Stanek (1-0, 0.00) | LP: Hansel Robies (0-1, 9.00)
MLB Headline:
‘That was some game’: Astros up 1-0 on Sox

PRE-GAME CONTENT

Analysts preview ALCS Game 1 on MLB Now

Chris Sale on starting Game 1

Framber Valdez on ALCS and starting Game 1

GAME HIGHLIGHTS AND POST-GAME CONTENT

➤With tonight’s home run, José Altuve is tied (with Derek Jeter) for 3^rd place for most postseason home runs in MLB history.

Alex Cora post-game presser

Kiké Hernández on his clutch homer and Game 1 loss

Dusty Baker on star players coming through in Game 1

José Altuve on Game 1 win

ALCS GAME 2

Nathan Eovaldi RHP 42 - Portrait — Eovaldi

Saturday, October 16, 2021 at 3:20 pm CDT
Minute Made Park
Red Sox / Nathan Eovaldi, RHP at
Astros / Luis Garcia, RHP
On FOX and FS1

Red Sox 9 – Astros 5
WP: Nathan Eovaldi (1-0, 5.06) | LP: Luis Garcia (0-1, 45.00)
MLB Headline:
Sox regain swagger in satisfying Game 2 win

PRE-GAME CONTENT

Lance McCullers, Jr. updates reporters on his injury

Nate Eovaldi on “locking back in mentally” for ALCS and starting Game 2

Luis Garcia on improvements, pitching at home in Game 2

GAME HIGHLIGHTS AND POST-GAME CONTENT

➤ J.D. Martinez and Rafael Devers make Red Sox the first team in postseason history to smash 2 grand slams in a single game.

➤ And, yeah, Kiké hit another home run and played great defense.

➤ Astros starter Luis Garcia leaves game in 2^nd inning with right knee discomfort.

Game highlights from mlb.com

J.D. Martinez on his Grand Slam

Nate Eovaldi talks run support

Alex Cora says a new best-of-five series starts now, with the first three games in Boston

Dusty Baker on falling behind early

Luis Garcia provides update on his knee injury

ALCS GAME 3

José Urquidy RHP 65 - Portrait — Urquidy

Eduardo Rodriguez LHP 57 - Portrait — Urquidy

Monday, October 18, 2021 at 7:08 pm CDT
Fenway Park
Astros / José Urquidy, RHP at
Red Sox / Eduardo Rodriguez, LHP
On FS1

Astros 3 – Red Sox 12
WP: Eduardo Rodriguez (1-0, 4.50) | LP: José Urquidy (0-1, 27.00)
MLB Headline:
Schwarber, E-Rod dominate in Sox’s G3 rout

PRE-GAME CONTENT

Analysts look at Astros starters on on MLB Now

Analysts on Game 3 pitching matchup on MLB Central

Analysts on Kiké Hernández’s hot streak on The Rundown

Eduardo Rodriguez on getting Game 3 start at home

José Urquidy on starting Game 3 in Boston

Alex Cora discusses ACLS with analysts on High Heat

Dusty Baker on preparing for Game 3 at Fenway

GAME HIGHLIGHTS AND POST-GAME CONTENT

➤ With Kyle Schwarber’s 430′ grand slam in the 2^nd, the Red Sox become the first team with 3 grand slams in a postseason series.

Game highlights from mlb.com

Alex Cora breaks down Game 3 win

Dusty Baker presser

ALCS GAME 4

Nick Pivetta RHP 37 - Portrait — Greinke

Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at 7:08 pm CDT
Fenway Park
Astros / Zack Greinke, RHP at
Red Sox / Nick Pivetta, RHP
On FS1

Astros 9 – Red Sox 2
WP: Kendall Graveman (1-0, 0.00) | LP: Nathan Eovaldi (1-1, 10.50)
MLB Headline:
Astros STUN Fenway in 7-run 9th, knot ALCS

PRE-GAME CONTENT

Mark DeRosa on Nick Pivetta’s stuff

Zack Greinke on rest and starting Game 4

GAME HIGHLIGHTS AND POST-GAME CONTENT

Game highlights from mlb.com

Nick Pivetta on his performance in Game 4

Analysts on Red Sox pitching in Game 4 on MLB tonight

Alex Cora on team’s mindset after Game 4 loss

ALCS GAME 5

Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at 4:08 pm CDT
Fenway Park
Astros / Framber Valdez, LHP at
Red Sox / Chris Sale, LHP
On FS1

Astros 9 – Red Sox 1
WP: Framber Valdez (1-0, 2.53) | LP: Chris Sale (0-1, 3.38)
MLB Headline:
Framboso! Lefty lifts Astros to cusp of AL title

PRE-GAME CONTENT

Alex Cora on Chris Sale

GAME HIGHLIGHTS AND POST-GAME CONTENT

Game highlights from mlb.com

Framber Valdez on his dominant 8-inning start

Chris Sale and Christian Vázquez on Game 5 defeat

Alex Cora on Game 5 loss

Dusty Baker on the win

ALCS GAME 6

Friday, October 22, 2021 at 7:08 pm CDT
Minute Maid Park
Red Sox / Nathan Eovaldi, RHP at
Astros / Luis Garcia, RHP
On FS1

Red Sox 0 – Astros 5
WP: Luis Garcia (1-1, 6.75) | LP: Nathan Eovaldi (1-2, 6.97)
MLB Headline:
Astros reach 3^rd World Series in 5 seasons

➤ Dusty Baker becomes the 9^th manager in MLB history to win both the AL and the NL Pennant.

➤ Astros set postseason record for most runs scored with 2 outs.

➤ Astros DH Yordan Álvarez crowned ALCS MVP

➤ Dominican Sister Mary Catherine of the Rally Nuns throws ceremonial first pitch.

PRE-GAME CONTENT

Analysts preview ACLS Game 6 on The Rundown

Nate Eovaldi on starting Game 6

Alex Cora on Game 6

GAME HIGHLIGHTS AND POST-GAME CONTENT

Game highlights from mlb.com

Nate Eovaldi and Kyle Schwarber on disappointing loss

Alex Cora on losing Game 6 and ALCS

Luis Garcia and Yordan Álvarez on winning ALCS

Dusty Baker on Game 6 win and returning to the World Series

American League Division Series I – October 7-13, 2021

2021 MLB ALDS Banner — MLB Advanced Media, LP

American League Division Series I

Tampa Bay Rays (1 – 100-62, .617) vs.
Boston Red Sox (4 – 92-70, .568)
Best-of-Five Series

Red Sox win series 3-1,
advance to ALCS

PRE-SERIES CONTENT

Rays manager Kevin Cash on facing the Red Sox

Red Sox manager Alex Cora on Wild Card win and facing the Rays

ALDS I – GAME 1

Shane McClanahan LHP 62 - Portrait — Rodriguez

Thursday, October 7, 2021 at 7:07 pm CDT
Tropicana Field, Tampa Bay
Red Sox / Eduardo Rodriguez, LHP at
Rays / Shane McClanahan, LHP
On FS1 and MLB Network

Red Sox 0 – Rays 5
WP: Shane McClanahan (1-0, 0.00) | LP: Eduardo Rodriguez (0-1, 10.80)
MLB Headline:
Randy Arozarena steals home, show as Rays roll

PRE-GAME CONTENT

Eduardo Rodriguez on starting Game 1

Shane McClanahan on starting Game 1

GAME HIGHLIGHTS AND POST-GAME CONTENT

ALDS I – GAME 2

Friday, October 8, 2021 at 6:02 pm CDT
Tropicana Field, Tampa Bay
Red Sox / Chris Sale, LHP at
Rays / Shane Baz, RHP
On FS1 and MLB Network

Red Sox 14 – Rays 6
WP: Tanner Houck (1-0, 1.80) | LP: Collin McHugh (0-1, 16.20)
MLB Headline:
Liftoff! Sox bash 5 homers to knot up ALDS

PRE-GAME CONTENT

Chris Sale on starting Game 2

Shane Baz on starting Game 2

GAME HIGHLIGHTS AND POST-GAME CONTENT

On offense and defense, the Red Sox play with heart! Kiké Hernández goes 5-for-6 (4 are extra base hits), J.D. Martinez goes 4-for-5, Xander Bogaerts, Christian Vázques, and Alex Verdugo all go 3-for-5!

Alex Cora on offensive outburst

ALDS I – GAME 3

Sunday, October 10, 2021 at 3:07 pm CDT
Fenway Park
Rays / Drew Rasmussen, RHP at
Red Sox / Nathan Eovaldi, RHP
On FS1 and MLB Network

Red Sox 6 – Rays 4 / 13
WP: Nick Pivetta (1-0, 3.12) | LP: Luis Patiño (0-1, 13.50)
MLB Headline:
Vázquez’s walk-off HR ends thrilling classic

PRE-GAME CONTENT

➤Red Sox Starter Nathan Eovaldi is the only five-pitch, major league pitcher with a usage rate over 10% for all five.

Drew Rasmussen speaks ahead of Game 3

Nathan Eovaldi on getting the ball in Game 3

Analysts on Eovaldi’s regular season success against the Rays on MLB Tonight

GAME HIGHLIGHTS AND POST-GAME CONTENT

Stellar pitching from Nate Eovaldi, who gives up 2 R/ER on 3 H, striking out 8 (1 BB) in 5.0 IP, and Nick Pivetta, who throws all 4.0 extra innings, giving up no runs on 3 H, striking out 7 (1 BB). Pivetta was to have started Game 4 tomorrow. The 13^th inning features a once-in-forever ground-rule double, and a 2-run, walk-off HR by Christian Vázquez–PH.

Nate Eovaldi tallies 8 strikeouts in 5.0 inning start

Nick Pivetta punches out 7 in 4.0 extra innings of relief

Nick Pivetta on his key role in Game 3 win

Crew Chief Sam Holbrook explains quirky, game-saving ground-rule double that might never be repeated

Kevin Kiermaier’s drive bounces off the wall, off the ground, off right fielder Hunter Ronfroe, then over the wall!

ALDS I – GAME 4

Monday, October 11, 2021 at 6:07 pm CDT
Fenway Park
Rays / Collin McHugh, RHP at
Red Sox / Eduardo Rodriguez, LHP
On FS1 and MLB Network

Red Sox 6 – Rays 5
WP: Garrett Whitlock (1-0, 0.00) | LP: J.P. Feyereisen (0-1, 2.45)
MLB Headline:
Sox walk off to ALCS, ousting 100-win Rays

GAME HIGHLIGHTS AND POST-GAME CONTENT

In his 63^rd postseason appearance, Kiké Hernández hits a walkoff sac fly, bringing in Danny Santana, pinch running for Christian Vázquez (leadoff single), to win ALDS. Hernández tallies 9 H, 6 RBIs in the four-game ALDS.

POST-SERIES CONTENT

Kiké Hernández on his walkoff sac fly

Alex Cora on ALDS victory over the Rays

Eduardo Rodruguez on his Game 4 start

Kiké Hernández again

Kevin Cash on cocky Rays well-deserved ALDS loss

Tiebreaker & Wild Card Games – October 4-6, 2021

Regular Season Tiebreaker Games

Monday, October 4, 2021

Surprisingly, after the wild season finish,
none are needed!

MLB Power Rankings
Entering Playoffs

American League Wild Card Game

New York Yankees (92-70, .568) at
Boston Red Sox (92-70, .568)

Red Sox defeat Yankees,
advance to NLDS

PRE-GAME CONTENT

The Red Sox will face the Yankees tonight without star slugger J.D. Martinez, who sprained his ankle tripping over second base, in the final game of the regular season. Martinez is day-to-day.

Nathan Eovaldi on starting against the Yankees:

Gerrit Cole on starting in the AL Wild Card:

Tuesday, October 5, 2021 at 7:08 pm CDT
Fenway Park
Yankees / Gerrit Cole, RHP at
Red Sox / Nathan Eovaldi, RHP
On ESPN

Yankees 2 – Red Sox 6
WP: Nathan Eovaldi (1-0, 1.69) | LP: Gerrit Cole (0-1, 13.50)

Who doesn’t love to see the damn Yankees lose!!!

The momentum is with the home team all night. Yankees $324 MM starter Gerrit Cole is off, giving up a 2-run HR to Xander Bogaerts and a solo shot to Kyle Schwarber, in the shortest outing of his career (2 BB, 3 SO in 2.0 IP). Red Sox starter Nathan Eovaldi is razor sharp, giving up just a solo HR to Anthony Rizzo on 4 hits (0 BB, 8 SO) in 5⅓ IP. Both bullpens perform similarly to their respective starters. Collectively, Yankees pitching issues 7 BB, to the Red Sox 0 BB. Alex Verdugo RBI 2B for the Red Sox, in the 6^th. Alex Verdugo is out at 2B on his own 2-RBI 1B that also advances Xander Bogaerts to 3B, in the 7^th. Giancarlo Stanton solo HR for the Yankees, in the 9^th, is not enough to bend the arc of destiny. Watch game highlights from mlb.com:

This spectacular defensive play by the Red Sox is not to be missed:

This is the third time that the Red Sox and the Yankees have faced off in a winner-take-all postseason game. The first was a tiebreaker game for the AL East title, in 1978. The Yankees won 5-4. The second was Game 7 of the ACLS, in 2003—a 6-5 Yankees win on an Aaron Boone walk-off in the 11^th inning.

National League Wild Card Game

St. Louis Cardinals (90-72, .556) at
Los Angeles Dodgers (106-56, .654)

Dodgers defeat Cardinals,
advance to ALCS

PRE-GAME CONTENT

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts on Max Muncy and Clayton Kershaw injuries:

Max Scherzer’s mindset ahead of NL Wild Card:

Adam Wainwright on starting against the Dodgers:

Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at 7:10 pm CDT
Dodger Stadium
Cardinals / Adam Wainwright, RHP at
Dodgers / Max Scherzer, RHP
On TBS

Cardinals 1 – Dodgers 3
WP: Kenley Jansen (1-0, 0.00) | LP: T.J. McFarland (0-1, 13.50)

That’s a relief! Los Dodgers won 106 games—16 more than the Cards!

A tense low-scoring night, marked by great defense and missed opportunities (Cardinals strand 11, Dodgers leave 7 on). Both starters are shaky, especially Dodgers starter Max Sherzer, yet both manage to escape multiple close calls. There is not a single 1-2-3 inning in the game. Tommy Edman scores for the Cardinals, in the 1^st, on a wild pitch by Sherzer. It takes Dave Roberts a minute to pull the future Hall-of-Famer-er, but with two on and one out in the 5^th, he sends in Joe Kelly, who retires the next two to end the inning. Sherzer gives up the 1 R/ER, on 3 H (3 BB, 4 SO) in 4⅓ IP. In the 4^th, Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright gives up a solo shot to Justin Turner (1) to tie the game at 1. Mike Schildt keeps Wainwright in through 5⅓ (4 H, 1 R/ER, 2 BB, 5 SO). Although he allows Tommy Edman a base hit, Kenley Jansen pitches brilliantly for the Dodgers, in the 9^th, striking out three of four (2 Ks). The game ends in high drama, in the bottom of the 9^th. With one on and two outs, center fielder and struggling hitter Chris Taylor delivers in the clutch with a 2-run walk-off HR (1)—the fourth in Dodgers postseason history. He doesn’t start the game—subbing in to last in the lineup, in the 7^th—but he sure finishes it! Watch game highlights from mlb.com:

Kenley Jansen fans 3 in the 9^th:

Chris Taylor enjoys his walk-off HR, Wild Card win:

Max Scherzer high fives fellow 2019 World Series Champion and former Nationals teammate Juan Soto, and Nationals hitting coach Kevin Long to celebrate the win:

Week of September 6-12, 2021

Adam Engel to Rehab

Adam Engel CF 15 — MLB Advanced Media, LP

September 7—Outfielder Adam Engel has been assigned to rehab at Charlotte Knights (AAA). Engel has been on the IL since August 16 with left shoulder inflammation.

Three-Game Series at Oakland Athletics

Athletics win series 2-1

Jimmy Lambert RHP 13 - Portrait — Lambert

Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at 8:40 pm CDT
Oakland Coliseum
Jimmy Lambert, RHP vs.
Athletics / James Kaprielian, RHP

W, 6-3, 80-58 (.580), W1 | WP: Jimmy Lambert (1-1, 6.23) | S: Liam Hendriks (33) | Game 138

➤ Yoán Moncada goes 3-for-5, extending his hitting streak to 19 consecutive games.

➤ Possible Injury—Eloy Jiménez takes a foul ball to the knee.

DEFENSE: In his sixth MLB appearance (2 in 2020), starter Jimmy Lambert earns his first major league win, giving up 1 R/ER on 3 H (2 BB, 2 SO) in 5.0 IP. Lambert was to be the first leg of a bullpen game, but gets himself into the zone in the 3^rd, retiring all but one batter in his last three innings. Garrett Crochet goes 1-2-3 (0 SO) in the 6^th. Ryan Tepera throws BB, K, GO double play in the 7^th. It takes both Ryan Burr (2 H, 2 R/ER, 0 BB, 0 SO in ⅓ IP) and Craig Kimbrel (1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO in ⅔ IP) to get out of the 8^th. Liam Hendriks goes 1-2-3 (1 SO) in the 9^th. OFFENSE: With one out in the 1^st, Yasmani Grandal run-scoring BB scores Luis Robert (singled, advanced to 3B on Yoán Moncada double), and 3 are left stranded. In the 5^th, Gavin Sheets RBI 1B scores Eloy Jiménez (singled, advanced to 2B on Yasmani Grandal single), César Hernández 2-run 1B scores Yasmani Grandal (singled, advanced to 2B on Gavin Sheets single, advanced to 3B on Leury Garcia single) and Gavin Sheets. Brian Goodwin 2-run 1B scores Yoán Moncada (doubled, advanced to 3B on wild pitch) and José Abreu (walked, advanced to 2B on wild pitch) in the 8^th. Watch game highlights from mlb.com:

Eloy Jiménez Day to Day

Eloy Jiménez LF 74 — MLB Advanced Media, LP

September 8—Eloy Jiménez suffered a right knee contusion last night when struck by an errant foul ball. He remains on the active roster.

Frankie Montas RHP 47 - Portrait — Keuchel

Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at 8:40 pm CDT
Oakland Coliseum
Dallas Keuchel, LHP vs.
Athletics / Frankie Montas, RHP

L, 5-1, 80-59 (.576), L1 | LP: Dallas Keuchel (8-9, 5.33) | Game 139

➤ Yoán Moncada goes 0-for-3, ending his hitting streak at 19 as of (9/7).

DEFENSE: Dallas Keuchel gives up 5 R/ER on 8 H (1 BB, 3 SO) in 5⅔ IP. José Ruiz retires 4 of 5 A’s (1 SO) and Mike Wright, Jr. retires 3 of 4. OFFENSE: In the 5^th, César Hernández reaches on a FC, as Leury García (doubled, advanced to 3B on Brian Goodwin single) scores the only run on an E3. Athletics starter Frankie Montas deals to win, striking out 7 White Sox (2 BB) through 7.0 IP. Watch game highlights from mlb.com:

Reynaldo López RHP 40 - Portrait — López

Thursday, September 9, 2021 at 2:37 pm CDT
Oakland Coliseum
Reynaldo López, RHP vs.
Athletics / Sean Manaea, LHP

L, 3-1, 80-60 (.571), L2 | LP: Reynaldo López (3-2, 2.05) | Game 140

DEFENSE: Reynaldo López is solid through 5.0 IP, giving up 3 R (1 ER) on 6 H (3 BB, 2 SO), but makes a fateful throwing error in the 3^rd that costs him the game. A wild pickoff attempt allows Sterling Marte to score from 2B (Marte had stolen 2B). Matt Olson advances to 3B on the error, then scores on a sac fly, making it 2-1 A’s. Ryan Burr, Aaron Bummer and Ryan Tepera each pitch a hitless inning with 0 BB and 2 SO. OFFENSE: José Abreu RBI 1B brings in César Hernández (doubled), in the 3^rd. Athletics starter Sean Manaea strikes out 9 White Sox, issuing just 1 BB, through 7.0 IP. Watch game highlights from mlb.com:

September 10—Lance Lynn activated from IL

Three-Game Series vs. Boston Red Sox

White Sox win series 2-1

Friday, September 10, 2021 at 7:10 pm CDT
Guaranteed Rate Field
Carlos Rodón, LHP vs.
Red Sox / Tanner Houck, RHP

W, 4-3, 81-60 (.574), W1 | WP: Carlos Rodón (12-5, 2.38) | S: Liam Hendriks (34) | Game 141

DEFENSE: Carlos Rodón delivers again, allowing 1 R/ER on 3 H (0 BB, 7 SO) on 5.0 IP. In the 6^th, Michael Kopech strikes out 2, then BB, 1B, before Aaron Bummer steps in to make the last out. In the 7^th, Ryan Tepera goes 3B, RBI GO, 1B (SB on WP), RBI 1B, FC, before Garrett Crochet steps in to make the last out. It’s 4-3 Sox. Craig Kimbrel pitches a hitless 8^th (1 BB, 2 SO), and Liam Hendriks pitches a scoreless 9^th (1H, 0 BB, 0 SO) for the save. OFFENSE: José Abreu 3-run HR (29), on an 0-2 count, scores César Hernández (walked) and Yoán Moncada (singled), in the 3^rd. Luis Robert RBI 1B scores Gavin Sheets (reached on E4), in the 4^th. Red Sox starter Tanner Houck is out after 3⅔, after giving up the 4 runs (3 BB, 1 SO). The Red Sox bullpen strike out 6. Watch game highlights from mlb.com:

Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 6:10 pm CDT
Guaranteed Rate Field – Sox Crawl
Dylan Cease, RHP vs.
Red Sox / Connor Seabold, RHP

L, 9-8, 81-61 (.570), L1 | LP: Mike Wright, Jr. (0-1, 3.86) | Game 142

Game highlights from mlb.com

Sunday, September 12, 2021 at 1:10 pm CDT
Guaranteed Rate Field
Lance Lynn, RHP vs.
Red Sox / Nick Pivetta, RHP

W, 2-1, 82-61 (.573), W1 | WP: Craig Kimbrel (4-4, 2.18) | Game 143

Leury Garcia walk-off HR.

Game highlights from mlb.com

Week of April 19-25, 2021

Four-Game Series at Boston Red Sox (Final Game)

Split series 2-2

Monday, April 19, 2021 at 10:10 am CDT
Fenway Park
Lucas Giolito, RHP vs.
Red Sox / Nathan Eovaldi, RHP

L, 11-4, 8-9 (.471), L1 | LP: Lucas Giolito (1-1, 5.79) | Game 17

Lucas Giolito pitches 1.0 innings plus 2 batters in the 2^nd, giving up 8 runs (0 SO, 2 BB). “They had a solid approach against me. I pitched right into it, and they didn’t miss.” (Giolito) Reliever Zack Burdi allows 4 hits and gives up 2 more runs in 3.0 IP (3 SO, 1 BB, 4 H). José Ruiz holds the line for 2.0 IP (4 SO, 1 BB, 1 H, 0 R). Then Tony La Russa throws up the white flag putting in position players DH Yermín Mercedes who gives up the final run in the 7^th on 1.0 IP (0 SO, 2 BB, 3 H), and SS Danny Mendick (1 SO, 0 BB, 1 H, 0 R) in the 8^th. The last two times that multiple position players pitched in a White Sox game were in 2015 (Alexei Ramírez and Leury García) and 1902 (Sam Mertes and Frank Isbell). Mercedes becomes the third player in White Sox history to DH and pitch in the same game (Adam LaRoche 7/31/2015, Adam Dunn 8/5/2014), and the first non-pitcher to make his fielding debut as a pitcher since Dee Moore on 9/20/1936. His last mound appearance was a three-inning outing for the White Sands, NM Pupfish (Pecos League) in 2014. José Abreu is officially in a funk (0-4, .188). Nick Madrigal’s bat is heating up (1-4, 3B, .300). Watch game highlights from mlb.com:

Two-Game Series at Cleveland Indians

White Sox win only game played (1 game postponed)

Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at 5:10 pm CDT
Progressive Field
Carlos Rodón, LHP vs.
Indians / Zach Plesac, RHP

W, 8-5, 9-9 (.500), W1 | WP: Carlos Rodón (3-0, 0.47) | S: Liam Hendricks (3) | Game 18

Despite walking 9 and committing 3 errors (1 BB and 0 E for the Tribe), the Sox landed a win. Carlos Rodón gave up his first earned run of the season to Jordan Luplow (HR) in the 3^rd, striking out 8 in 5.0 IP (5 BB, 3 H, 2 R). José Abreu’s solo home run in the 4^th was the hardest (115.6 MPH) and farthest (458’) hit of his career. His second HR in the 7^th marked his 18th career multi-homer game—third in White Sox history behind Paul Konerko (26) and Frank Thomas (29). Yasmani Grandal 2-run HR. Tim Anderson solo HR. Yoán Moncada double. With his tendancy to reach out to grab incoming pitches, Yasmani Grandal was charged with 2 catcher’s interference errors. With 1 out in the 8^th, the White Sox battery loads the bases with Indians on two walks from Garrett Crochet (0-2, 1.50) and Grandal’s second error of the day. Watch game highlights from mlb.com:

Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at 5:10 pm CDT – Postponed
Progressive Field
White Sox Starter, RLHP vs.
Indians / Aaron Civale, RHP

2021-04-21 Winter-Like Conditions at Progressive Field — MLB Advanced Media, LP Progressive Field – Apr 21, 2021

Postponed due to winter-like conditions. Rescheduled for May 31 as the second game of a traditional doubleheader. First game starts at 2:10 pm CDT.

Three-Game Series vs. Texas Rangers

White Sox sweep 3-0

Friday, April 23, 2021 at 7:10 pm CDT
Guaranteed Rate Field
Dylan Cease, RHP vs.
Rangers / Dane Dunning, RHP

W, 9-7, 10-9 (.526), W2 | WP: Codi Heuer (2-1) | S: Liam Hendriks (4) | Game 19

Dylan Cease is pulled after 3 ⅓ IP (5 SO, 3 BB, 3 H, 2 ER), still unable to make it through a 5-inning start this season. Liam Hendriks strikes out 5 of 6 and gives up a solo HR to Adolis Garcia for a 1 ⅔ inning save. With the game tied at 6 in the 7^th, Yermín Mercedes scores Luis Robert on a go-ahead double, marking his 4^th hit in 4 at-bats on the day (3 RBI). Adam Eaton ground-rule double with 2 RBIs. Yoán Moncada bats in 3, Nick Madrigal 1. Watch game highlights from mlb.com:

April 23—Billy Hamilton activated from IL

Saturday, April 24, 2021 at 6:10 pm CDT
Guaranteed Rate Field
Dallas Keuchel, LHP vs.
Rangers / Kyle Gibson, RHP

W, 2-1, 11-9 (.550), W3 | WP: Liam Hendriks (1-0) | Game 20

Dallas Keuchel pitches 6.0+ innings, allowing 7 H, but no R—earned or otherwise (2 SO, 0 BB). With the White Sox leading 1-0 in the 9^th, Liam Hendriks retires 3 of 4 with 2 SO, but blows the save on a Willie Calhoun solo HR. With the game tied at 1, Nick “Nicky Two Strikes” Madrigal doubles on 0-2 with 2 outs, for the first walk-off hit of his career off Rangers reliever John King. Madrigal has reached in 16 of his 17 starts this season. Watch game highlights from mlb.com:

Michael Kopech RHP 34 - Portrait — Kopech

Kohei Arihara RHP 35 - Portrait — Kopech

Sunday, April 25, 2021 at 1:10 pm CDT
Guaranteed Rate Field
Michael Kopech, RHP vs.
Rangers / Kohei Arihara, RHP

W, 8-4, 12-9 (.571), W4 | WP: Michael Kopech (2-0) | Game 21

Pre-Game

Kopech

Arihara

Abreu 2-Run HR

Michael Kopech shines with 10 SO (0 BB, 4 H, 1 R) on 5.0 IP. Newly called up RH reliever Jonathan Stiever struggles, giving up a hit to each of the 4 Rangers he faces for 3 ER on 0.0 IP. Garrett Crochet picks up the slack with 1 SO, 1 BB, 3 H, 0 R on 3.0 IP. José Ruiz closes (1 SO, 1 BB, 1 H). José Abreu 2-run HR in the 1^st, sac fly in the 2^nd. Tim Anderson 2B with 1 RBI, Adam Eaton 3B with 1 RBI in the 2^nd, sac bunt in the 3^rd. Nick Madrigal 1B extends to 2B on E9 in the 2^nd, then hits a bona fide 3B with 2 RBI in the 3^rd. It takes Kohei Arihara 40 pitches to get out of the 1^st inning and 30 more to get out of the 2^nd before calling it a day (0 SO, 4 BB, 6 H, 5 ER). Watch game highlights from mlb.com:

Week of April 12-18, 2021

Four-Game Series vs. Cleveland Indians

Split series 2-2

Triston McKenzie RHP 24 - Portrait — Rodón

Monday, April 12, 2021 at 7:10 pm CDT
Guaranteed Rate Field
Carlos Rodón, LHP vs.
Indians / Triston McKenzie, RHP

W, 4-3, 5-5 (.500), W1 | WP: Codi Heuer (1-0) | Game 10

Dallas Keuchel starts due to Carlos Rodón upset stomach. After a solid 5-inning performance in which he retired 12 in a row after giving up a 2-run HR, Dallas Keuchel loads the bases with the first three batters in the 6^th, before being relieved by Evan Marshall. Codi Heuer 4 SO in 2 ⅓ IP to win. Adam Eaton 3-run HR. Tied at 3 in the bottom of the 9^th, White Sox score on what should have been a routine double play (E3 – Yu Chang). Watch game highlights from mlb.com.

Shane Bieber RHP 57 - Portrait — Giolito

Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at 7:10 pm CDT
Guaranteed Rate Field
Lucas Giolito, RHP vs.
Indians / Shane Bieber, RHP

L, 2-0, 5-6 (.455), L1 | LP: Garrett Crochet (0-2) | Game 11

Epic pitching duel. Shane Bieber pitches a beautiful 9 innings for the Tribe with 11 SO, 1 BB, and 3 hits. Lucas Giolito went 7.0+ innings for the White Sox with 8 SO, 2 BB, and 3 hits. Scoreless at the end of Regulation. In the top of the 10^th, Roberto Pérez bats in the first run of the game with a ground ball single perfectly placed between 5 and 6. Watch game highlights from mlb.com.

Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at 7:10 pm CDT
Guaranteed Rate Field
Carlos Rodón, LHP vs.
Indians / Zach Plesac, RHP

W, 8-0, 6-6 (.500), W1 | WP: Carlos Rodón (2-0) | Game 12

Carlos Rodón serves up the 20^th no-hitter in White Sox history, missing a perfecto by just two outs. Carlos Rodón’s drive toward a perfect game ended with a toe ball that hit Roberto Pérez. Yermín Mercedes 3-run homer. Watch game highlights from mlb.com.

Dylan Cease to Injured List

Dylan Cease RHP 84 — MLB Advanced Media, LP

April 14—Dylan Cease placed on 10-day injured list with symptoms of COVID-19.

Thursday, April, 15 2021 at 1:10 pm CDT
Guaranteed Rate Field – Jackie Robinson Day
Lance Lynn, RHP vs.
Indians / Aaron Civale, RHP

L, 4-2, 6-7 (.462), L1 | LP: Lance Lynn (1-1) | Game 13

Despite his solid performance over 6.0 IP (10 SO, 0 BB, 2 H) giving up just 2 runs, Lance Lynn endures a tough loss. José Abreu makes dual fielding and throwing errors on a single play in the 8^th allowing the Indians’ third run to score. In the 1^st, Adam Eaton beats the play to 2B, then Indians second baseman Andrés Giménez dislodges him from the bag with his leg. Eaton is called out, clearing both benches and bullpens without incident. Watch game highlights from mlb.com.

April 15—Tim Anderson activated from IL

Four-Game Series at Boston Red Sox

Split series 2-2

Friday, April 16, 2021 at 6:10 pm CDT
Fenway Park
Dylan Cease, RHP vs.
Red Sox / Nick Pivetta, RHP

2021-04-16 Winter-Like Conditions at Fenway Park — MLB Advanced Media, LP Fenway Park – Apr 16, 2021

Postponed due to winter-like conditions. Rescheduled for Sunday at 4:10 pm CDT as the second game of a split doubleheader.

April 16—Dylan Cease activated from IL

Saturday, April 17, 2021 at 3:05 pm CDT
Fenway Park
Dylan Cease, RHP vs.
Red Sox / Nick Pivetta, RHP

L, 7-4, 6-8 (.429), L2 | LP: Codi Heuer (1-1) | Game 14

No decision for Dylan Cease with 6 SO, 3 BB, 6 hits, and 2 runs on 4 ⅔ IP. White Sox took an early 2-0 lead in the 1^st but did not score again until the 7^th when a Yoán Moncada sac fly tied the game at 3. But Boston broke it open in the 8^th scoring 4 runs. Watch game highlights from mlb.com.

Billie Weiss, Boston Red Sox, Nike Red Sox City Connect Series Alternates

The Red Sox debuted their City Connect series alternates—bright yellow and sky blue jerseys with white pants—in honor of Patriots’ Day weekend and the Boston Marathon.

Sunday, April 18, 2021 at 12:10 pm CDT
Fenway Park – 7-inning game
Dallas Keuchel, LHP vs.
Red Sox / Tanner Houck, RHP

W, 3-2, 7-8 (.467), W1 | WP: Dallas Keuchel (1-0) | S: Liam Hendricks (2) | Game 15

Dallas Keuchel allows just 1 R on 6 H in the first 5 innings, then gives up a HR to the first batter (Enrique Hernández) in the 6^th, before being relived by Aaron Bummer (1 SO, 0 BB, 6 H, 2 R). Tim Anderson scores his ninth career leadoff HR off Tanner Houck’s first pitch of the game—a 97-MPH four-seamer. Yasmani Grandal double in the 4^th brings in Abreu. Yoán Mancada single in the 5^th brings in Jake Lamb. Watch game highlights from mlb.com.

Sunday, April 18, 2021 at 4:10 pm CDT
Fenway Park – Makeup of April 16 (7-innings)
Michael Kopech, RHP vs.
Red Sox / Martín Pérez, LHP

W, 5-1, 8-8 (.500), W2 | WP: Matt Foster (1-1) | Game 16

Nice start for Michael Kopech with 4 SO, 1 BB, 1 H and 1 R on 3.0+ IP. Evan Marshall retires 3 of 4 in the 6^th on his 31^st birthday. Liam Hendricks shuts down 3 on 8 pitches to close. Yermín Mercedes leads off with a HR in the 4^th, followed by runs scored on a Danny Mendick single and a Nick Madrigal double. Sox load the bases with no outs in the 6^th, on a Leury García single, an Andrew Vaughn double, and a Zack Collins walk. A Nick Madrigal sac fly brings in García. First Good Sox doubleheader sweep versus Bad Sox since 2010. Watch game highlights from mlb.com.

Lance Lynn to Injured List

Lance Lynn RHP 33 — MLB Advanced Media, LP

April 18—Lance Lynn placed on 10-day injured list with a strained right trapezius, retroactive to Saturday, April 17.