Guardians, White Sox Announce ALDS Rosters

For the first time in the two franchises’ mutual 126 seasons of existence, the White Sox and Guardians will meet in the postseason.  Hagen Smith starts (or, more accurately, opens) for Chicago against Guards starter Parker Messick in Game 1 of the ALDS this afternoon in Cleveland, and both clubs have now officially released their series rosters.

The Pale Hose made just one change to the 26-man roster that swept the Astros in the AL Wild Card Series, as righty Tyler Davis joins the roster in place of Huascar Brazoban.  After starter Sean Burke was removed after four innings in Game 2, Brazoban was the first reliever out of the pen, but he retired only one of three batters faced.  Anthony Kay replaced Brazoban and issued a walk but got out of the jam, preserving Chicago’s 4-3 lead.  Brazoban was acquired by the Mets at the trade deadline, but posted a 4.40 ERA over 14 1/3 innings for the Sox and also spent close to a month on the injured list due to a left lat strain.

The five-year MLB veteran will be replaced by Davis, one of many rookies who have contributed to the upstart Sox roster.  It’s a nice birthday present for Davis, who turns 28 years old today.  Davis made his MLB debut on April 25, and he posted a 3.66 ERA, 21.1% strikeout rate, and 12.5% walk rate over 32 innings out of Chicago’s bullpen.  The Sox never used Davis against Cleveland in the regular season, so the rookie represents a potential fresh challenge to Guardians hitters.

There weren’t any real surprises in Cleveland’s first roster of the postseason.  Right-handers Slade Cecconi and Austin Peterson were cut from the 28-man roster that concluded the Guardians’ regular season, and no new additions were made.  Rhys Hoskins hasn’t placed since August 18 due to lower back inflammation, and while he had been participating in team workouts this week, the Guardians opted against including the veteran on their active roster.

White Sox catchers: Jake Rogers, Kyle Teel
Infielders: Luisangel Acuna, Chase Meidroth, Colson Montgomery, Munetaka Murakami, Miguel Vargas
Outfielders: Sam Antonacci, Andrew Benintendi, Brenton Doyle, Randal Grichuk, Braden Montgomery, Tristan Peters, Tommy Pham
Left-handed pitchers: Bryan Hudson, Anthony Kay, Sean Newcomb, Noah Schultz. Hagen Smith
Right-handed pitchers: Sean Burke, Tyler Davis, Erick Fedde, Jordan Hicks, Davis Martin, David Sandlin, Grant Taylor

Guardians catchers: Patrick Bailey, Austin Hedges
Infielders: Travis Bazzana, Angel Genao, Nathaniel Lowe, Jose Ramirez, Brayan Rocchio, Daniel Schneemann
Outfielders: Jo Adell, Chase DeLauter, David Fry, Petey Halpin, Steven Kwan, Angel Martinez
Left-handed pitchers: Joey Cantillo, Foster Griffin, Tim Herrin, Parker Messick, Erik Sabrowski
Right-handed pitchers: Shawn Armstrong, Tanner Bibee, Daniel Espino, Matt Festa, Hunter Gaddis, Cade Smith, Gavin Williams