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3 things we learned at the ALDS, including the mood of the Chicago White Sox ahead of Game 3 against the Houston Astros

lamond pope, chicago tribune
·3 min read
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The Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros held workouts Saturday at Guaranteed Rate Field. Here are three things we learned ahead of Sunday’s Game 3.

1. The White Sox are ready once again to play with urgency.

White Sox manager Tony La Russa has stressed urgency since spring training, and there’s nothing more urgent than a win-or-go-home situation.

The Sox are in that position after losing the first two games of the best-of-five series in Houston.

“The guys know (Friday’s) effort was special,” La Russa said Saturday. “(The Astros) made some plays that gave them the edge. But there wasn’t anything wrong with the way we competed.

“If we play just as hard as we did (Friday), we’ll have a great chance (Sunday).”

Said Game 3 starter Dylan Cease of the challenge ahead: “I think if that doesn’t bring out the best in you, I don’t know what will.”

Asked if he was nervous entering Sunday, Sox center fielder Luis Robert said through an interpreter he feels good.

“I feel the same way I’ve been feeling throughout the whole year, and, honestly, the same way that I feel before every game,” Robert said. “(Sunday) is probably the most important game of the season for us, but nothing changed. (Sunday) I just have to get playing and feeling the same way and trying to find a way for us to win the game.”

2. The Sox are looking forward to an ‘electric’ home atmosphere.

The Sox had the AL’s best home record this season.

Sunday marks their first home playoff game since the 2008 ALDS against Tampa Bay.

“There’s no doubt it’s going to be electric,” Cease said. “What to expect, it’s going to be intense for sure. I think it’s going to be pretty rowdy, and hopefully we give them something to get even louder about.

“I feel like I feed off that. The louder and the more energy there is, the better for sure.”

The Sox went 53-28 at Guaranteed Rate Field, including winning two of three against the Astros.

“It’s going to be nice to see everyone in black and it’s going to be loud,” Sox pitcher Carlos Rodón said. “It’s going to be a treat.”

3. Patience is paying off at the plate for Luis Robert.

Shortstop Tim Anderson is having another productive postseason at the plate with four hits in the first two games. He has a major league-record 13 hits in his first five career postseason games.

Center fielder Luis Robert has been another bright spot, collecting two hits in Game 1 and three more in Game 2.

“I’ve been patient, and I’ve been able to recognize the pitches, and I think that’s been a key,” Robert said. “I haven’t been swinging pitches out of the strike zone. I haven’t been chasing pitches. That’s been key for me.”

At 24 years old and 66 days, Robert became the youngest Sox player with a three-hit performance in a postseason game. He has recorded a hit in each of his first five postseason games.

“You have to keep your focus high all the time,” Robert said. “You have to be locked in all the time, and I think that’s why the reason I have (performed well).”