Gamethread: White Sox at Athletics, Wild Card Game 2

Yesterday was euphoric for Chicago White Sox fans, and for the first time since 2005, the South Siders have an opportunity to win a postseason series.

Chris Bassitt and the Oakland Athletics stand in the way of this accomplishment. Bassitt, the No. 501 overall pick in 2011 (and selected by the White Sox), started 11 games this season. He notched a 2.29 ERA and a 5-2 record.

Bassitt saw the White Sox twice last year, on July 13 and August 11; he threw 13 combined scoreless innings and won both games. But that was last year; this year’s Sox team looks a bit different and a bit better.

These Sox are in charge of changing their fortunes against Bassitt and propelling themselves to the ALDS:

Today’s lineup is almost identical to yesterday’s, but Edwin Encarnación takes James McCann’s spot in the lineup, as Edwin makes his White Sox playoff debut. As seen yesterday, this lineup is lethal and can mash the baseball. Looking for much of the same in this afternoon’s ballgame.

As for the Sox’s starting pitcher, Dallas Keuchel, takes the mound for Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series. In 11 games, he holds a 6-2 record with an outstanding 1.99 ERA; he aims to keep that dominance rolling in the 2020 playoffs. He last saw these Oakland A’s four times in 2018. He was 1-2 and gave up 15 runs; his best performance was on May 7, 2018, pitching eight innings of one-run baseball, and his goal is to duplicate that brilliance today.

These A’s look to give Dallas some of that other 2018 trouble:

Marcus Semien, former White Sox player, leads off for the Athletics and will look to set the table to even the series for his ball club.

This American League Wild Card Series continues at 2:10 p.m. CT. ESPN has the broadcast, but the ol’ faithful WGN AM has the radio coverage. Time to wrap up this series and make way to Dodger Stadium!