Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcast

Brett Ballantini flies solo on this look back at Game 4 (Chris Getz's choice to roster just 12 pitchers, the possible gift handed to the White Sox with Stephen Vogt's "bullpen management late on Thursday) and ahead to the deciding Game 5 (available pitchers, getting to Gavin Williams, and on whose shoulders does the pressure sit).

In the end, the best pitcher throwing is Chicago's Sean Burke, on regular rest. Advantage: White Sox.

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Well, that game suuuuuuuucked.

Nevertheless, Joe Kiang-Resis and BrettBallantini broke down the ugliness, poked a hole in José Ramírez worship, forecast the pitching matchups for Game 4, and wondered whether any White Sox batter would ever shorten his swing with two strikes.

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Melissa Sage-Bollenbach, Hannah Filippo and Malachi Hayes join Brett Ballantini in previewing a possible clinching game in Chicago, as the White Sox won the first two games in Cleveland and sending all prognosticators home crying.

We take a look at the dueling openers in Game 3, forecast how the game will play out, our MVPs at this point in the ALDS, and players we think will surprise in Game 3.

We also speculate on who the "big name" throwing out the first pitch for Game 3 will be — and acknowledge that the biggest obstacle to a sweep might be the penchant for ice cream in the White Sox clubhouse.

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A stirring win by the White Sox in Cleveland brought Joe Kiang-Resis, Melissa Sage-Bollenbach and Brett Ballantini together to review all the ups and downs, from a rough open to Sean Burke's record-setting mastery as the bulk arm to timely hitting that rallied Chicago to the win.

Along the way we muse over Game 3's prospective pitching lineup, the controversial (over?) managing moves from Will Venable, predictions for Game 3 and, in a twist, what you should do if you find somebody's wallet.

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Flying solo and thus talking as much as ever, Brett Ballantini previews Game 2 of the White Sox-Guardians ALDS. Given the relative dominance over Cleveland of opener/starter Anthony Kay and bulk arm Sean Burke and Chicago having solved Gavin Williams to a large degree, the pitching matchup looks much more favorable for the South Siders than Game 1.

Similarly, the White Sox back more feistiness into the lineup vs. righthanders, so subbing in Sam Antonacci and Tristan Peters for Randal Grichuk and Brenton Doyle changes the complexion of Game 2.

After winding up with some observations about getting the AL/White Sox gettng an early-in-series vs. late extra day off, poof, the podcast is over. Was it just a dream?

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What ho, lookee here, it's Melissa Sage-Bollenbach, Joe Kiang-Resis and Brett Ballantini gathering to take in a dominant win by the White Sox in their ALDS vs. Cleveland.

The trio discusses Grant Taylor's enormous effort en route to a four-innings save, the reawakening of big boppers Munetaka Murakami and Colson Montgomery, the impressive three-game postseason run by the White Sox during which they have not trailed, and more!

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Leonard Gore and Brett Ballantini met up to preview Game 1 of the ALDS pitting the Chicago White Sox against the Cleveland Guardians, covering the gamut of Saturday's game, including:

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To celebrate the first White Sox postseason series win in 21 years, Chrystal O'Keefe, Melissa Sage-Bollenbach, Brian O'Neill and Joe Kiang-Resis joined Brett Ballantini to talk about ... everything but the game?

No, of course we discussed a triumphant Game 2 win, but not before discussing where we all were on Oct. 26, 2005, when the White Sox last won a playoff series; our relative stress levels throughout the win; our MVPs for the game; and early takes on the upcoming ALDS series vs. Cleveland.

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In an alternate dimension, recorded either late on Tuesday or early Wednesday, Melissa Sage-Bollenbach, Joe Kiang-Resis, Leonard Gore, Brett Ballantini and Malachi Hayes sat down to preview Game 2 of the ALWC Series vs. Houston.

Between a vibe check, a list of Game 2 worries and a breakdown of Will Venable's treatment of the serious-opening bullpen game, to a one we felt Houston will be flat and in danger of being swept.

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On the heels of a White Sox 6-3 win in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series vs. the Houston Astros, Melissa Sage-Bollenbach, Brian O'Neill, Hannah Filippo and Joe Kiang-Resis savored the game ... mostly.

We name our MVPs of the win, dissect the opening (successful!) and closing (eh?) stints, and break into a longer discussion of Will Venable's handling of this particular bullpen game.

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