Week of September 20-26, 2021

Three-Game Series at Detroit Tigers

Tigers win series 2-1 (including 9/27 makeup)

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 4^th and 5^th. Garrett Crochet goes 1-2-3 (1 SO) in the 6^th, as does Ryan Burr (2 SO) in the 7^th. In the 8^th, 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 3^rd, 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 1,800^th career RBI on a sac fly in the 3^rd that ties the game at 3. Watch game highlights on mlb.com:

September 21—Adam Engel activated from IL

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 6^th, going 1B, FC, 5-4-3 DP, then gives up the game in the 7^th—1B, 1B, 5-4-3 DP, RBI 1B, [SB on WP] BB. On this 28^th 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 8^th. OFFENSE: Luis Robert 2-RBI 1B brings in Cesar Hernández (singled) and Tim Anderson (doubled), in the 3^rd. Tim Anderson RBI 1B scores Adam Engel (doubled) in the 8^th. Watch game highlights on mlb.com:

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

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 4^th with a 1B and a 6-4-3 DP. Aaron Bummer retires 3 in order (1 SO) in the 5^th, for the win. Craig Kimbrel walks 2 and retires 3 (0 SO) in the 6^th. 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 3^rd pitch of the game. The Sox pull off a major rally in the 2^nd—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

Game highlights on mlb.com

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 6^th. Aaron Bummer goes SO, 1B, GO, K, in the 7^th. Craig Kimbrel delivers 3 consecutive Ks, in the 8^th. 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 6^th

Cease Injury Update

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 3^rd, 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 7^th. Ryan Burr allowed 1 H and struck out 3 in the 8^th. 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

➤ 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 7^th, 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 8^th. 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 1^st. Eloy Jiménez 2-RBI 1B, in the 3^rd, brings in Leury Garcia (doubled) and José Abreu (walked, advanced to 2B on Yasmani Grandal walk). In the 6^th, Leury Garcia RBI 1B brings home Andrew Vaughn (singled, advanced to 2B on Billy Hamilton sac bunt). Billy Hamilton steals Home in the 8^th (singled, advanced to 3B on Tim Anderson 1B). Watch game highlights on mlb.com:

Brian Goodwin Injured

Brewers Clinch NL Central

Dodgers to NL Wild Card Game