Grant Taylor throws another bullpen gem, earning White Sox playoff ace status

Chicago White Sox reliever Grant Taylor delivered four scoreless innings to earn a rare four-inning postseason save in a 3-0 Game 1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians in the ALDS. Taylor struck out six batters, walked none, and allowed just two hits over 42 pitches to preserve the shutout. Chicago manager Will Venable praised Taylor's dominance and efficiency after the right-hander struck out the side in the ninth inning.

The outing marked Taylor's second dominant relief appearance of the postseason, bringing his total to 11 strikeouts across 6 1/3 innings. The performance represents just the sixth postseason save of four or more innings since 1969. Jon Greenberg of The Athletic argues that Taylor has established himself as the White Sox's true playoff ace amidst the team's heavily bullpen-dependent postseason run.