White Sox Deploy Anthony Kay Before Sean Burke in ALDS Game 2 as Lefty Matchups Loom
Updated
Updated · MLB.com · Oct 4
White Sox Deploy Anthony Kay Before Sean Burke in ALDS Game 2 as Lefty Matchups Loom
3 articles · Updated · MLB.com · Oct 4
Summary
Monday’s Game 2 will open with left-hander Anthony Kay before Sean Burke takes the bulk innings, extending Chicago’s unconventional postseason pitching plan against Cleveland.
Cleveland’s top order gives the move its logic: lefty Steven Kwan, switch-hitter José Ramírez and lefty Chase DeLauter are due up first, so Kay is set to handle the toughest left-handed matchups.
Burke, 26, struck out 8 in 4 wild-card innings against Houston and posted a 3.34 ERA with 185 strikeouts in 172 1/3 regular-season innings; he also went 2-0 with a 1.04 ERA against the Guardians this year.
Game 1 reinforced Chicago’s willingness to mix roles, with Hagen Smith opening for 2 2/3 hitless innings and Grant Taylor covering 4 scoreless frames for a 12-out save.
Will Venable said Chicago will again manage Smith and Taylor by availability and matchup, with Sunday and Tuesday off-days giving the White Sox some flexibility without overworking either arm.