Free extension for sports fans

Starters set their egos aside as White Sox employ 'all hands on deck' approach to postseason pitching

CLEVELAND – Back in June, starter Davis Martin looked like the White Sox pitcher most likely to represent the team in the All-Star Game. Three games into the Sox’ postseason run, Martin is one of three pitchers on their active…

Published: Sunday, 4 October 2026 at 8:55 PM
Starters set their egos aside as White Sox employ 'all hands on deck' approach to postseason pitching
Key Things to Know
  • Chicago White Sox starting pitchers are setting personal goals aside as manager Will Venable embraces a bullpen-heavy postseason approach.
  • Anthony Kay was scheduled to start Game 2 of the ALDS as an opener ahead of bulk reliever Sean Burke.
  • Rotation mainstays Davis Martin and Erick Fedde have seen limited opportunities due to Cleveland's left-handed heavy lineup.
The Story in 60 Seconds

The Chicago White Sox are utilizing an "all hands on deck" pitching strategy during their postseason run, with manager Will Venable prioritizing bullpen matchups over traditional starting roles. Starting pitchers such as Davis Martin and Erick Fedde have seen reduced opportunities, while Anthony Kay was named the Game 2 opener against the Cleveland Guardians with Sean Burke slated for bulk relief innings.

Players like Martin and Burke emphasized sacrificing personal milestones for team success. Meanwhile, Grant Taylor and Hagen Smith lead the pitching staff in playoff innings. Behind the plate, catcher Kyle Teel has drawn praise from teammates and coaches for his defensive play and his 7-for-8 success rate on automated ball-strike (ABS) challenges during the postseason.

Never Miss a Sports Update

Get the latest sports news and top stories from MySportsTab delivered straight to your inbox.

No spam. Just the latest sports news and updates.