The biggest question facing every ALDS team

We are down to four teams in the American League postseason, and each has a big question to answer in the Division Series round.

Chicago White Sox vs. Cleveland Guardians

For Chicago, can it overcome its starting pitching?

The White Sox are the feel-good story of the postseason, rebounding from three consecutive 100-loss seasons to make it to the ALDS. However, every Cinderella story faces a time when it may end.

That could come against the division rival Guardians if Chicago's starting pitching doesn't hold up. No one is questioning what the White Sox lineup can do at the plate, but outside of Sean Burke, is there enough in the starting pitching arsenal to hold any kind of lead Chicago might build?

Chicago's bullpen has the most innings pitched of any MLB team and a rotation that doesn't go deep into games can often be a recipe for disaster in October.

For Cleveland, is there enough to offense to get into the ALCS?

The Guardians finished 27th in home runs and was 24th in runs scored this season. Chicago won the season series with Cleveland by a 7-6 margin and outscored the Guardians by just one run overall (58-57), setting up for what could be a very competitive and intriguing ALDS.

If there's good news for the Guardians on offense, it's that they had a September power surge, hitting 35 homers in the month, the most of any month this season. 

It's worth watching if Jose Ramirez rounds back into form in the ALDS. A left hamate fracture caused him to miss roughly a month in the middle of the season, and his September was not good, posting a .501 OPS in 91 at-bats. Does he find his All-Star form in October? it would be a big plus for Cleveland's offense. 

New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays

For New York, can the rotation continue to dominate?

Sure, the easy out here would have been to talk about the offense and the potential of Aaron Judge to play in the ALDS, but the Yankees' domination of the Boston Red Sox in the wild-card round had its starting pitching as the foundation.

Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, Carlos Rodon and Cam Schlittler give the Yankees plenty of options for the starting pitching in the five-game series, and that could be an edge for the Yankees.

New York limited Boston to a .117 batting average in the wild-card round. While the Rays will likely best those numbers, there is little question that New York's pitching is arguably the best on the AL side of the bracket.

For Tampa Bay, who plays the hero other than Junior Caminero?

After the first-round bye, what happens with the offensive timing for hitters is always interesting to watch. While Caminero had a season worthy of plenty of MVP votes, he can't carry the offense alone. Jonathan Aranda, Yandy Diaz and Taylor Walls have all had their moments for Tampa Bay this season, but can they contribute enough should Caminero find himself in need of some help against the Yankees' strong pitching?

It may be a real question as Caminero is slashing just .204/.259/.306 with one home run in 54 plate appearances against the Yankees this season.