CLE to win-108
TLDR: Cleveland's starter has already dominated this park, and Chicago's opener is pitching for a 2nd straight day, so the Guardians have the clearer path to the innings that force a Game 5.
Point
- Smith's short rest
Hagen Smith opens a day after throwing 21 pitches, and his only back-to-back outing this season ended in a walk-off homer.
- Messick at Rate Field
Messick struck out 10 over 7 2/3 innings here on June 23, which is the kind of length Cleveland's tired bullpen needs tonight.
- Ramírez's wrist
Ramírez had left hamate surgery in June and slugged .368, so a double and a triple Wednesday are the best sign yet his power is back.
- Closing at home
The White Sox have not clinched a postseason series at home since 1906, and Wednesday's crowd thinned out as the game slipped away.
Counterpoint
- Cleveland's bullpen
Cleveland used 7 pitchers Wednesday, including closer Cade Smith for 2 innings, so its late innings tonight are thinner than usual.
- Sox late-inning arms
Chicago's best relievers are rested, with closer Grant Taylor last pitching Monday and Jordan Hicks at 4 scoreless innings this postseason.
Neutral
- Weather
The forecast is clear and cool with light wind, so the air at Rate Field shouldn't help either lineup.
- Venable's quick hook
No White Sox starter has gone past 4 innings in 4 postseason games, so expect a bullpen game whoever is listed as the starter.