CLEVELAND — Many baseball enthusiasts have long understood pitching strategies as straightforward tasks. Traditionally, the top pitchers handle the starting roles to carry the game through innings. The best reliever, known as the closer, usually pitches the last inning, or sometimes the eighth if dominant. Setup men serve as interim support, bridging the gap to the closer. The least effective pitcher typically takes the role of mop-up man, preserving the energy of better relievers.
This traditional setup has guided managers through the regular season for years. During playoffs, top starters might extend their pitching due to the urgency of the games. However, current baseball practices have shifted, sometimes drastically.
Boston’s Sonny Gray was pulled in the fifth inning of a critical wild-card game, raising eyebrows among teammates who voiced concerns over the current state of the game.
For the 2026 Chicago White Sox, a “no-rotation” rotation concept is in play. Manager Will Venable declared that reliever Hagen Smith would open Game 1 of the ALDS against the Cleveland Guardians. This move follows Smith’s successful three-inning start in the wild-card win over Houston. Notably, the Sox lead the league in using openers, proving effective with this strategy.
Choosing whether the no-rotation approach will sustain postseason success is a topic of discussion. Venable hinted that Sean Burke might start Game 2, echoing his performance in the Astros series. The rest of the pitching roster remains adaptable to shifts and needs throughout the series.
White Sox’s strategic approach starkly contrasts with that of past teams like the 2005 Sox. Then-manager Ozzie Guillén relied heavily on starters like Contreras and Buehrle for complete games, establishing a grounded but effective strategy.
Their World Series victory showcased expert game planning and execution from advance scout Bryan Little and coaching staff, leading to controlling seven innings in Game 1 and Game 2 victories.
Presently, Venable employs plans aligning with his season-long decisions. This includes a bullpen-first method, which General Manager Chris Getz anticipated, given the initial lack of a dominant rotation in spring training.
The White Sox bullpen has adapted seamlessly. Grant Taylor, evolving into a more consistent closer, along with others like Seranthony Domínguez leading with 12 saves, underscores the depth of the bullpen. Past misconceptions around bullpen roles like openers are being challenged.
Past critical perceptions regarding the opener strategy, including those from Guillén, have not hindered the White Sox. The possibility of postseason glory without a conventional rotation may further elevate the status of the 2026 Sox. Glenn Blum’s anecdote about the privileges enjoyed by players of the 2005 team exemplifies the lasting legacy attached to such achievements.
In conclusion, while unconventional, the White Sox’s strategy reflects modern baseball’s evolution, facing both critique and potential celebration among fans and players alike should success follow.