Sox Populi - A Chicago White Sox podcast

Wouldn’t you just know it, after weeks of waiting for our EXCLUSIVE Q&A with Yasmani Grandal, baseball has to go and end its lockout as he and I are talking. Still, as Yaz was getting pelted by marshmallows from his daughter and votes to play were pouring in from the players, the White Sox catcher and I spoke on a number of topics from past and present: Yaz talks of his devotion to the Force3 catching gear, equipment so protective he invested in the company! Grandal has been mostly lucky to sidestep concussions (“only” one) but the Force3 is especially helpful with mask trauma, as in the past he’s taken so many hits to the jaw he “got tired of drinking his food out of a straw” Yaz laughs off his low-BA criticism; he knows his offensive game, and that involves run production by getting on base — and putting balls over the fence The return to using in-game video to study his at-bats was the key difference in Yaz’s huge offensive uptick for 2021 As for corralling a diverse and talented pitching staff, Yaz details his strategies, and as always sees more value in observing and listening than talking to pitchers We passed with a slightly light hand over the labor negotiations, but two things were clear: Yaz feels one side was trying harder for a deal, and it’s enormously important to leave the game in better shape for young players than he came into it Grandal sees himself as a future coach or manager, but you might be surprised at what level he’d most like to work at YES the basketball jersey will be back for 2022, and Yaz does not balk at it replacing the 1983s as the Sunday alternate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Another week, another two series lost to the lockout. The new wink-wink MLB Opening Day is April 14, and if you believe that date, I’ve got an elephant for you to eat. Somehow Kristina Airdo, Delia Ritchie, Tommy Barbee, Jacki Krestel, Zach Hayes and Brett Ballantini found plenty to laugh about, as we whistled past MLB 2022’s grave. It’s gallows humor, with cussing. Enjoy. The wisdom of fans demanding players take a deal when ownership has just begun to bargain in good faith ... 15 minutes earlier Or, as Dr. Jacki breaks it down, don’t fall for the love bomb, players. Friggin’ narcissist owners Who said it? “If billionaires weren’t really good at public relations, we’d have cut their heads off already.” The ugly underbelly of adding an International Draft the players don’t want at the very last minute of talks Who said it? “When people are throwing a tantrum, ignore it.” Zach is looking forward to the free-agent frenzy, once this is all over, even if the offers are for the 10 games of so of season that will be left Tommy warns MLB to make a long deal that’s generous to players now, so they can rake in all that sweet-sweet streaming dough that’s coming, with no player oversight Zach’s cat and Delia’s dog join in the mews of pain and howls of protest Stay tuned for Delia’s pop metaphor for these talks, starring Taylor Swift and a cast of villains Universal sublimation to the maven of labor coverage, Kristina. You are helping us all feel more labor pain than we thought possible, Airdo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s a Meet the Players podcast, with our new guy, Sam Reeves! Read all about Sam in his Meet the Players piece on site right now, and learn a lot more than a mere post can provide with this podcast’s all-encompassing look at Sam’s fandom and take on the 2021-22 White Sox: Growing up a contrarian up north, zagging against the grain and choosing White Sox over those other guys Why did Sam only like James Baldwin starts when he was a kid ... a favorite starter preference he duplicated more recently with Carlos Rodón? Sometimes, a no-hitter (an near-perfect game) can make you cry Come with Sam, and you’ll be in a world of pure imagination ... when it comes to helmet sundaes Sam’s writing plan for 2022 is summarized succinctly as “let’s see where this goes” Retracing the 2021 White Sox, from the highest of highs, to running out of gas, with plenty of weird La Russa-ness in-between You might say Sam was not pleased that the White Sox punted on Rodón’s QO Hey, it’s a podcast in March 2022, so let’s finish up with some lockout talk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Meredith Wills was born on a Major League Baseball Opening Day, but it was not a run-of-the-mill Opening Day: It was the day Henry Aaron tied Babe Ruth’s home run record. Her father, who grew up watching Aaron play, went out and bought his newborn daughter a baseball bat. “He was absolutely convinced that I was going to be something in the game,” says Dr. Wills. The elder Wills’ vision was prescient. Dr. Wills has been busy over the past several years researching and solving the mysteries within a seemingly simple but beloved object: the baseball. The impact of Dr. Wills’ research is changing the game of baseball and what we know about MLB operations. Keelin Billue is hosting this new South Side Sox podcast called “Explain It Like I’m 5 (ELI5),” which is focused on simplifying complicated topics in baseball with the experts who understand the issues best. Listen to or watch Episode 1: “The baseball: a semi-chaotic system” to learn about Dr. Wills and the following topics: What do baseball, astrophysics, and knitting have in common? What is the history behind dead and juiced balls? Does MLB purposefully juice and/or deaden balls? How did Dr. Wills find out the MLB used two different balls in 2021? Why did MLB use two different balls in 2021? What is the fallout from using juiced balls? Learn more about Dr. Wills and the articles she mentioned in this episode: Major League Baseball secretly used 2 different types of baseballs last season, Business Insider, Bradford William Davis and Dr. Meredith Willis (2021) Did MLB Use Juiced Balls in 2020?, Sports Illustrated, Stephanie Apstein (2021) “Yes, the baseball is different — again. An astrophysicist examines this year’s baseballs and breaks down the changes, The Athletic, Dr. Meredith Wills (2019 SABR Award-Winning article) How one tiny change to the baseball may have led to both the home run surge and the rise in pitcher blisters, The Athletic, Dr. Meredith Wills (2018) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well, you’ve already read the sad story from Kristina Airdo and Brett Ballantini today, detailing the breakdown of labor talks between players and owners that now sees spring training further delayed and the first two series of the regular season cancelled. Despite the threat of all-mourning, no actual content, Brett betrayed that for this podcast, with a cast of thousands. Here’s a sneak preview: Chrystal O’Keefe’s prediction for the next MLB regular season game? May 2025 Does the fact that Jerry Reinsdorf takes such a hawkish stance toward labor embarrass us as Sox fans? Good Vibes Jacki Krestel manages not to cuss — and has the sunniest outlook for next games, in late April We couldn’t get Joe Resis to crack emotionally during the wake, but he is confident he won’t be trying to win #KnightsMath all summer Joe, Tyrone Palmer and Tommy Barbee have seen this play out before, be it 2020 or 1994 Have the players, in trying to actually collectively bargain a new agreement, conceded too much already to eventually forge a solid deal? Zach Hayes finally crosses over to the proletariat side and sees ownership dropping the lockout and resuming status quo within the month Delia Ritchie casts a fascinating vision of Reinsdorf enduring A Christmas Carol treatment. Watch out for Bobcat Goldthwait, JR! AI Ballantini is no handsomer than real-life Ballantini, software fail Airdo can be heard catching up on sleep, somewhere, but no audible snoring Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey, it’s one of them fun Meet the Players podcasts, during which you’ll get the inside scoop on Kristina Airdo’s White Sox fandom. But we’d be remiss if not discussing a breakneck week of labor talks, signifying oh so very little. And who better to discuss those little goings-on than with our de facto labor writer, Kristina herself? Born into one of those “Cubs families” that, if you’re lucky, you assumed was just an urban legend, Kristina escaped that sorry fate. Thanks, grandpa, and thanks, uncle! The delicious dilemma of getting out of school early ... to see a White Sox game Most memorable games, for both Kristina and Brett: World Series Game 1, and one of the Blackout Games Sure, Brett hasn’t seen Kristina’s favorite baseball movie, and pays dearly for it An overview of where labor talks stand, now just a couple of days from officially scrapping the March 31 Opening Day Can we provide any insight as to the utter lack of urgency shown by ownership in these offseason talks? When will we see first games? At the moment, the hope is May 1, the stark reality is late June, and the utter pipe-dream, please-play-on-my-birthday wish is March 4 Is the notion that labor dischord “kills the game” a bit overwrought? Follow Kristina’s White Sox observations on Twitter @Liddle_Ktina, and if you’re lucky, you may catch her on a weather nerd day Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Publishing alongside this podcast is Zach Hayes’ 4,000-word take on PECOTA and the 2022 White Sox — and no, it is not a misprint, our favorite projectors tab the South Siders for 94 wins! What ho! Such a sunny outlook requires explanation, no? Nine seasons PECOTA has pegged the White Sox for fewer wins, eight seasons it predicted more. Overall since 2005, it’s undersold the White Sox by an average of 2 1⁄2 wins per year — but man, when it misses, boy howdy Quick WARP (Baseball Prospectus WAR) definitions from Zach, including how it differs from Baseball-Reference and FanGraphs WAR, and how to translate the relatively stingy WARP takes for 2022 Yasmani Grandal, SUPERSTAR Why the growth/continued excellence of Liam Hendriks and Aaron Bummer may render $16 million Craig Kimbrel moot In the face of a lukewarm projection for José Abreu, let’s chat on Pito’s Hall of Fame case instead Yes, it is a pivotal year for Luis Robert, and not because we’re reverting back to the roh-bear pronunciation, people Is Lucas Giolito our disappearing ace? Yoán Moncada enjoys a bullish projection, but where is his newfound power going to come from? The dark skies hovering over Andrew Vaughn and Garrett Crochet The almost impossibly-bright take on No. 3-4 starters Dylan Cease and Michael Kopech There’s an elephant in the room, and his name is Rodón — yes, PECOTA’s strong projection for Los makes the White Sox blowing off the QO pre-lockout look even sorrier Consider supporting the fine work of Baseball Prospectus with a subscription. They’re on the White Sox train now! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we’ve announced the winners in the fifth annual White Sox Hall of Fame vote, and Adrian Serrano, Zach Hayes and Joe Resis joined up with Brett Ballantini to talk about the results, and more: Five players made it to SSS immortality, including players with the second- and third-highest election percentages ever Next year’s favorites How did the two remaining players in Cooperstown who’ve yet to crack our White Sox HOF end up? Which player ended up dropping off of the ballot in 2023? The player race wasn’t too close, in that there were no borderline players in 2022. How about the bonus categories, where at least two races were decided by as few as two votes? A frank discussion of helmet nachos A check-in on the glacial pace of baseball labor talks Who should represent the SSS staff if we’re called on to help broker labor peace? (see below) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The fifth annual White Sox Hall of Fame vote, is ongoing, with still time to determine some of the plaques and choose winners in the bonus categories. Voting ends on Sunday, so don’t dilly-dally like a certain Indianapolis Field Office stalwart. Adrian Serrano, Chrystal O’Keefe and Joe Resis join Brett Ballantini to evaluate the early election returns, and squeeze in a little bitta lockout talk: Five players are on target for election, with one clearly the most surprising Is Wilbur Wood going to enter our Hall with the biggest plurality yet? Who’s the unlucky Cooperstown resident who is still not close to White Sox Hall of Fame election? A quick look at the three-way race to see who remains on the ballot in 2023 Also a peek at the four closest “bonus category” races, and a different idea for the alternate Sunday uniforms With one offer to the MLBPA over the first 70 days of the lockout, is ownership serious about striving for a full season? Four picks for a revised Opening Day 2022 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey, it’s time for the White Sox Hall of Fame vote, year five! Adrian Serrano, Chrystal O’Keefe and Zach Hayes join Brett Ballantini to dissect the ballot, plus much, much more: Four Hall-of-Famers on the ballot ... not yet voted into our White Sox Hall of Fame, whoa Adrian’s fanboy picks Chrystal’s unapologetic support of Chris Sale Perusing the bonus categories, including a no-brainer defense pick and the impossible home run choices ... and Adrian even adds a homer to the mix Chrystal steps us through the early look at 2022 White Sox promotions, with her faves and bobblehead predictions Hey, the lockout is on, and, what new, owners are out for blood Zach gets brassy for Major League ... but has a new pet flick pick for 2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the results of both our South Side Sox Hall of Fame results and the BBWAA election of David Ortiz, we’re wrapping up all our Hall talk with this podcast, featuring the Indianapolis Field Office of Chrystal O’Keefe and Joe Resis, with moderator-trying-not-to-erupt-in-expletives Brett Ballantini: The pros and cons of Ortiz in on the first ballot The hypocrisy of Ortiz in on the first ballot, vis-a-vis at least Barry Bonds Bye-bye Bonds, Roger Clemens, Sammy Sosa, Curt Schilling Mark Buehrle survives ... but so does Torii Hunter A rollout of our new vote this week, Best Baseball Movies, released concurrent with this podcast: Favorites, sleeper picks, least favorites White Sox news: Welcome, Oscar Colás and Erick Hernández! How soon can you make it to the South Side? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So, with our South Side Sox ballot released on Monday, it’s time to talk about the many worthy Hall of Fame candidates who will fall short of election when our results are announced on January 24. Podcast stalwarts Adrian Serrano and Zach Hayes join Brett Ballantini for the roundtable: Changes in the SSS voting process allows for more than 10 votes per ballot, and provides instant updates on where each candidate stands. Has that changed the overall voting patterns of our readers? By Wednesday night’s recording, just four of 30 candidates had reached even 50% support — perhaps just two you’d expect. Do PEDs still loom over this group? Most overrated names on the ballot, relative to their support: David Ortiz and ... Scott Rolen Most underrated: Tim Hudson, Bobby Abreu, Torii Hunter What do Billy Wagner and Devin Hester have in common? With a dreary incoming class of candidates in 2023, will we just be talking about mostly the same group of underachieving candidates a year from now? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the heels of last week’s Meet the Players podcast with Adrian Serrano, Brett Ballantini is right back at it today with another site stalwart, Zach Hayes. Get to know Zach a bit by revisiting his Meet the Players article that originally ran last July, as you listen to the podcast: While Brett was trying to grow a playoff beard in 2000, Zach was getting his first memories of the White Sox, brief though that “playoff run” was Kismet: Zach and Brett were both in attendance at Mark Buehrle’s perfect game — Zach in fact in Brett’s previous season ticket section! You might think a baseball intellectual like Zach would pick any movie but Major League as his fave diamond flick, but you’d be wrong. Our ace analyst explains himself So, is Buerhle a Hall-of-Famer? Both Zach and Brett try to squelch amusement and disgust at the mere question What’s the key to taking dry analysis and injecting it with color enough that an average fan can grasp it? Zach knows it, as evidenced in his work here, and he shares some thoughts (hint: no, he doesn’t really like the numbers as much as the storytelling) You heard it here first: To SEE RED in 2022, the White Sox will bring back the baby blue zipper roadies and the red pinstripes Zach WILL NOT be Nightengaled Finally: room for optimism regarding this latest labor impasse? In fact, for reasons freely shared here: yes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sure, Brett Ballantini can’t seem to remember what year it is, but still and all, the South Side Sox mothership podcast is back for another year, after a month or so away. And it’s a Meet the Players podcast, starring our five-tool player, Adrian Serrano! Get to know him a bit through his Meet the Players article up on site today, and listen to our podcast together: Re-live the 2005 run, and the majesty of the Scott Podsednik walk-off One of these things is not like the other: Robin Ventura, Eloy Jiménez, Juan Uribe, Ron Karkovice A surprising pick for next White Sox statue (hint: It will be a loud statue) What folks don’t get about The Natural, the best baseball movie choice by both on this podcast Trying to put a positive spin on the pre-lockout White Sox offseason Will the labor dispute take game away from the season? Oh, and hey, back to a non-baseball note: Check out Adrian’s band, The Burst and Bloom. They’re really good. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do Yolmer Sánchez, Barack Obama, the HOFBP, Yoán Moncada’s next recording, Jim Gaffigan, Chance the Rapper, an ambitious cub (small c) reporter, Warren Buffett, Styx, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Rick Hahn’s Christmas stocking, George Lopez, George Wendt, the California water shortage, Michael Jordan, Jenny McCarthy, Kevin Cash, Warren Buffett and José Abreu’s beard have in common? Why, they’re all part of White Sox Christmas wishes from Sharing Sox, as SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent Will take a peek into Santa’s sleigh and see what ultimate goodies are in store for the team. Once the lockout is over, of course. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cooperstown granted Adrian Serrano at least part of his Soxivus miracle on Sunday, as Minnie Miñoso was elected off of the Golden Days Era ballot. There was a lot of good (Minnie!) and some bad (Dick Allen falls short!), and Joe Resis and Brett Ballantini join in the fun, talking ballots and even winding up with a little bit of SSS Veterans’ ballot chat: Bittersweet timing, but Minnie is finally in. How much did the Negro Leagues recognition earlier this year play a role? Another thing the Golden Days Era Committee got right (unlike the Early Baseball Committee) was taking a loaded ballot and making sure four players got in — is this the new trend? Allen fell one vote short, for the second straight try; not if but when for him, but jeez, it’s been 21 ballots for him now Will Billy Pierce gain support similar to Minnie’s in future elections? Southpaw speed round: Who gets in the Hall first, Mark Buehrle or Pierce? SSS has pivoted on how it puts together its “loaded” Veterans’ ballots; should Cooperstown take note? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Having checked with their lawyers and been assured it’s OK to talk about players and teams during the lockout as long as no money changes hands, SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, wade into the morass that is Major League Baseball and try to figure out if the owners’ proposal for a seven-team-per-league-one-guy-gets-a-bye-others-pick-their-opponents-and-the-winner-is-whoever’s-mascot-can-jump-more-rows-into-the-crowd playoff system was merely meant as a bit of levity, or if they really are just tired of the whole thing and want the sport to fold. Then it’s on to the White Sox and the rather interesting strategy of letting any free agents or trade possibilities of any importance wander on by until after (and if) a new CBA is achieved and the big players know the new luxury tax rules and re-enter the fray so the competition for the few remaining stars is much tougher, because, well, why not? Of course, there are congratulations for Leury García and Kendall Graveman for getting way, way more money than anyone would have thought possible, and there are hearty laughs over the idea that the White Sox will come up with anything useful out of picking up the option on Craig Kimball except maybe the occasional eighth inning with only one home run allowed. None of which is important, of course, because while the Tigers should be slightly improved, the AAAL Central will still be the AAAL Central, so why bother trying to get better? But still, how the hell did they miss out on Joey Wendle? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Boy howdy, we’re back, and when not modeling delicious South Side Hit Pen White Sox ware, we’re trying to catch up with the breathless pace of Hot Stove action. Including two big White Sox moves! Ahem. In the second half, we dig into the likely outcomes of the Golden Days Era ballot, announced on Sunday, and debate whether Minnie Miñoso or Dick Allen will make the cut this time. It’s a jam-packed podcast: Did Rick Hahn forge the agreement with Kendall Graveman, then just put his phone on DO NOT DISTURB? Hey, Leury’s back! Indeed, friends, those blood-curdling screams you heard wafting up from down south were Chrystal’s plaintive cries for impact players Slick pivot, Detroit, from the riches of Carlos Correa to the no-look tags of Javy Báez Is it Minnie Miñoso’s time to finally shine by being enshrined? Or will Dick Allen get the call on Sunday? Both? Neither? The utter aggravation of election worthy Hall-of-Famers ... when they’re dead and unable to bask in the glory Rest in peace, LaMarr Hoyt, Winning Ugly ace Bonus round: Wake up to the horrors of domestic violence, MLB Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A true maverick of the metrics world, Adam Darowski (Hall of Stats, Sports-Reference, Building the Ballot podcast) joins Brett Ballantini on our 75th program, reviewing four White Sox on the precipice of the Hall of Fame and pulling back to take a look at the processes that have created such a backlog of great candidates. We start with some broad Hall of Fame discussion, then hone in on the four White Sox on the Golden Days Era ballot, with results announced on December 5: The emotion that drove Adam to start Hall of Stats a decade ago, and how some of his anger toward the flawed election process has tempered over time Darowski’s preferences: big Hall, small gatekeeping The process and emotions behind the groundbreaking change, led by Seamheads and validated by Baseball-Reference, to officially elevate the Negro Leagues to major status After years of the “unelected till dead” habit of Hall voters, are we on the precipice of a direction change, with the experts making an effort to enshrine living legends? Is it Minnie Miñoso’s time to finally shine by being enshrined? It seems a no-brainer, but ... not so fast Adam executes an apropos “Minnie rant” that illustrates how ludicrous it is that the White Sox legend is still not a Hall-of-Famer Worthy of mention: Minnie show-and-tell The most likely White Sox player to get in? Per Adam’s gut, it’s Dick Allen. Adam also reminds us that DICK ALLEN COULD CRUSH THE BALL Looking at worthiness, not likelihood or any oddsmaking, Darowski tabs Billy Pierce fourth on his ballot. While the great southpaw won’t be elected next month, increased awareness of his greatness (e.g., a near-identical regular season career as HOFer Whitey Ford) could bode well for his future immortality And we take a detour to examine the career of Jim Kaat, a brief but tremendous White Sox hurler. His 16 Gold Gloves simply have to be a typo. Through at least one lens, Kaat is the most likely to make the cut this vote. Oh yeah, and during the podcast, we did claim Adam off of waivers, so he will be bringing his punk rock chops to band rehearsal, and ... well, actually, we can’t afford him, but we made the claim anyway. Hopefully, we can at least talk again soon! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

OK, we lied. But if we said, “White Sox have done nothing but strangely stupid stuff so far,” it wouldn’t have been exactly clickbait, would it? Back from a three-week hiatus taken for a little film production work, SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, take a look at the postseason moves being made around the major leagues — but not around Chicago. Naturally, that includes speculation over giving Rick Hahn the benefit of the doubt that he really knew what he was doing when he picked up a certain badly-aging reliever’s option, and had a trading partner set up, was a touch too much kindness. Yes, the name Seiyo Suzuki is kicked around, including the inevitable really cool fan chant available to whoever gets him. Then it’s on to wondering whether there will be a baseball season in 2022, and, if not, what people will turn to instead (watching the excitement of a five-foot putt? learning how to grow lima beans?). Then it’s a wander into the world of 2021 MLB awards, some of which were yet to come at recording time, but most of which were complete, including a certain HOFBP coming in sixth for AL Manager of the Year (what? 15th place wasn’t available?). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As our Soxivus celebration to end 2021 appears to be winding down, several staffers gathered to discuss our list of Soxivus Miracles, live on the site right now. We worked in order of most likely to least, but even as we went there was some revising of the list: Joe Resis steps us through yet another underwhelming right-field signing — but this time, one than ends in 2022 ALDS heroics! Chrystal O’Keefe not only penned a last-minute, wry take on White Sox spending, but defends it convincingly Pre-commercial striptease interlude from the host Adrian Serrano asks that not only Minnie Miñoso win election to the Baseball Hall of Fame next month, but get new life to both enjoy the honor and slap a few hits for the team in 2022 Tommy Barbee is incredulous that his prediction of Micker Adolfo hitting 30 homers for the 2022 White Sox could be regarded so lightly Brett Ballantini begs for transparency from the ball club The group discusses other Miracles, including Jerry Reinsdorf as an academic study, a plea for high-volume and concentrated Hall of Fame voting with a skew toward living candidates, and Tony La Russa’s third strike Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We haven’t run off a Meet the Players podcast in awhile, which means it’s about time to roll out a new one! In conjunction with her MTP survey up on site right now, let’s learn a bit more about one of our newest writers, Delia Ritchie! Yes, Delia is one of those fans from the womb, even having attended a game before she could walk As for first White Sox memories, well, it’s watching the 2005 White Sox on their run to the World Series win, with her grandmother — and some recently-departed relatives as well The importance of personalizing the players, in both her team work and what Delia will do for us at SSS A 2021 review, with thoughts on Tony La Russa and the most important junctures of the season A 2022 preview, including the most important areas to target this winter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well, a weird first “official” week of the offseason yielded some trippy topics, and Adrian Serrano, Zach Hayes, Leigh Allan and Chrystal O’Keefe showed up to chat with Brett Ballantini about some of the most notable: In the words of Zach channeling DJ Khaled, to the White Sox: “Congratulations, you played yourself.” While of course Scott Boras now says Carlos Rodón would have rejected the QO if made, is it less realistic to think that in a world where Andrew Heaney gets almost $10 million that Rodón doesn’t, as GM Rick Hahn is apparently gambling? And as for the “White Sox have a secret injury dossier” fans, well, beyond the 100 mph Rodón threw while on life support in the ALDS, Brett points out that Bob Nightengale would have sent out four tweets from a dying Rodón’s bedside validating Los’ injury if so, given the egg on the South Siders’ faces for this one As Zach also points out, Craig Kimbrel is probably worth $16 million — Jerry Reinsdorf just doesn’t want to have to pay him $16 million and still spend to correct roster weaknesses. Seeya, CK. On to Zack Collins. Anything else to say here? He is what he is, and that ain’t a major league catcher Adrian is not buying the whole “rotation is full,” line parroted by so much media (and perhaps Hahn himself), which Michael Kopech champion Chrystal O’Keefe still wonders how he alone will make up a need for like 400 innings in the current rotation Leigh breaks the news that few outside FA experts see the White Sox as a major player — like, any major players, this winter It’s not all deep sighs and wry cackles, though, as Brett previews coming attractions such as Deep Dive, SSS poetry, an exclusive interview with Hahn, and a batch of Meet the Players podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tommy Barbee and Keelin Billue are back after a five-month hiatus, as the embers of the 2021 Chicago White Sox season and South Side Soxivus cool down. Typically, there are talks of a stove that is supposed to be hot, but this year, the pilot light does not seem to work yet. So, in this episode of the Killer B’s, Tommy and Keelin spend time discussing the past, present, and hopes for the future. Join the Killer B’s to navigate: One of the Worst White Sox Games of 2021: As a Soxivus tie-in, we begrudgingly relive the Yermín-Tony game. The 3-0 bomb game. You know. THAT ONE. Hot Stove Moves: An impending lockout has us eating cold eggs. Yet, there have been a few big transactions made, including Carlos Rodón not receiving a QO. Tommy and Keelin work to decipher Hahn-speak especially in regard to the increasingly lean pitching rotation. A Wish List: Surprise! The problems of last season continued to plague the White Sox until the end: second base and starting pitchers. The Killer B’s indulge in a little fantasy. Lockout Plans?: In an effort to not go five months without recording, plan on joining the Killer B’s for a radionovela, or continued White Sox coverage. There will be no between. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ve come to the Soxivus week that celebrates the worst games of 2021, and we’ve got seven SSS scribes a-swimming through the season to provide insights on the most painful: Leading off, Joe Resis talks about an April 13 loss that had it all: weak exit velo heartbreakers, nine innings of Bieber, Manfred Mann runners, and Cleveland Handing the mic over the cubicle wall at the Indianapolis Field Office, Chrystal O’Keefe took over to talk about a true injury lowlight of the regular season, when Luis Robert popped a hip on May 2 Adrian Serrano, after fielding compliments for his fancy Soxivus T-shirt that is available in unlimited quantities, picked a May game that was absolutely indicative of bullpen management meltdowns to come Keelin Billue stepped up to talk about the one game that made both the best and worst lists for 2021, involving a Smurfy take on a late-game homer Fresh off of a two-minute plank, Jacki Krestel talked about the one loss to the Chicago Cubs all season, and with just a little goading, cussed a blue streak to make it an SSS After Dark™ affair Zach Hayes skipped to the playoffs and spoke of the one truly heartbreaking loss of the postseason, the fall-from-ahead loss to Houston in ALDS Game 2 And Father Soxivus, Tommy Barbee, once again brought home the proceedings with some thoughts on the fightless ALDS Game 4, the very end of which Jacki still has not watched In bonus time, we talked the Craig Kimbrel re-up and Carlos Rodón kick-out Does Brett Ballantini lose his voice, and does it come back? There is more Soxivus to come, wrapping up next week with Soxivus Miracles! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ve come to the Soxivus week that celebrates the best games of 2021, and we’ve got seven SSS scribes a swimming through the season to provide insights on their favorites: (yes, there were several costumed writers on the podcast, on the day after Halloween. Don’t ask why, it was a spontaneous staff decision) Keelin Billue spent too long in podcast exile, inadvertent though it may have been. Not only did she macho up with a sexy mustachioed cowboy getup for the podcast, she recounted her favorite game of the year, witnessing Carlos Rodón’s no-hitter in April, with fellow SSSer Dick Reillo. Zach Hayes took on two games in our writeup, but spoke on Rodon’s mastery of Houston in July — perhaps his (and Chicago’s) best game of the season. Hayes was rocking a White Mamba look and yes, there were gams Did Chrystal O’Keefe finally admit to feeling wonder over Field of Dreams? Well, let’s just say she recounted the many highlights of the game in the corn, in August. Adrian Serrano was so wild for the 16´´softball game that was a Sox 17-13 win in crosstown play in August that he wrote an entire feature looking back at it Joe Resis talked about a birthday win, which just happened to be a Blackout win — which just happened to be the only playoff win of the season Trooper Galactus was podcasting from a lead-lined room, so we could not make out the details of his chosen game; the Dylan Cease slugfest over Cincinnati, in May, perhaps? Father Soxivus, Tommy Barbee, simply reminded us of the inherent White Sox fandom of all our choices, and writeups Brett Ballantini veered to metrics, choosing the 1.76 championship leverage index win on May 31, an extra-innings win at Cleveland secured by a home from from ... Adam Eaton. Is he joking? Stay tuned for our Soxivus Pole celebration on Friday! Stay tuned for a The Shining twins appearance by Chrystal and Joe in the Indianapolis Field Office next podcast! There is more Soxivus to come, including the worst games of 2021, so check back next week Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For our “bonus” SSS on the Farm podcast (24), Darren Black and Brett Ballantini discuss the best of the White Sox system, through the lens of this season’s South Side Sox MVP votes. Let’s jump right in! José Rodríguez is the unqualified winner of our Player of the Year honors, and there’s honestly not a lot more that can be said about his 2021 In a full season, Kade McClure just edged out Norge Vera’s 19 innings in 2021, so you can imagine which pitcher found himself the subject of more discussion Only three pitchers made our raw cut for the All-Stars, which is nuts beyond the terrible year White Sox pitching prospects had. How quick does Darren choose position players pitching to round out an All-Star rotation? Darren will be back for more Farm podcasting, once he’s out of brief hibernation after the AFL and before this whole minor league mess starts up again Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For Farm podcast 23 we’re hitting the rookie leagues for some review, two teams with almost identical (bad) records. Arizona finished 25-34, 13th of 18 ACL teams, while the DSL White Sox were 26-33, tied for 33rd of 46 teams. But, there were some stars and some breakout performances. This podcast is a companion piece to Sean Williams’ ACL review and Darren Black’s take on the DSL season, so, enjoy those along with the chatting. Has the out-of-nowhere Wilfred Veras immediately become the top first baseman in the White Sox system? More Misael González talk The pitching was ... not good. And made worse by Thursday’s news that Tanner McDougal will be out for 2022 after Tommy John surgery Colson Montgomery and Wes Kath met expectations Norge Vera is aiming for Winston-Salem to start 2022, and might easily leapfrog to the top pitching prospect spot in the organization Worth asking again: Why don’t the White Sox max out their farm clubs? More players, more wins, right? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Finally, we come to the biggest disappointment in the White Sox system, great taste, no filling Kannapolis Cannon Ballers. Ballyhooed as the gem of the system this spring, the CBs fell flat almost immediately, and ended the year with an almost statistically-impossible -275 run differential. Seriously, in 119 games, Kannapolis was outscored by 275 runs — 2.31 runs per game! Well, so what if our Low-A club opened a beautiful, new ballpark, with a new name and logo — and inexcusably flopped, at 40-79? There were prospects of note, and Darren Black and Brett Ballantini discuss them over 20-plus, fun-filled, commercial-free minutes: Have you read Darren’s season review piece? Well, it is live alongside this podcast, so go get yourself some. Let’s skip right past José Rodríguez, who started his incredible ascent in Kannapolis this season, and focus on mini-Popeye, Bryan Ramos — who in at least one sense is a more impressive prospect than Rodríguez The biggest surprise, at least among guys who came into the season with modest expectations (and/or came into the season not even playing in Kanny): Misael González Breaking down the triumvirate of talented starters (Matthew Thompson, Drew Dalquist, Jared Kelley), all who disappointed. What happened, and what is our reasonable level of hope for these three going forward? A brief review of season coverage records, as one of us is a good-luck charm, and one is not. And, a preview of coming attractions (yes, there are still two more Farm podcasts before the Rule 5 draft podcast, WOO HOO!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Podcast 69, nice. The companion article that Joe Resis, Zach Hayes and Brett Ballantini address in the podcast was, again, the brainchild of Tommy Barbee. All three writers submitted entries for their top beef of the season, but we also cover the other six grievances as well. Here are some highlights: Zach spins a detailed yarn about his Feat of Strength, biblical in nature, with gore, bat racks, and a potentially peaceful overthrow of La Russa Adrian Serrano could not participate in the podcast, but wants to make it clear he did not kill Southpaw Seriously, could a clydesdale (Leigh Allan’s suggestion) manager better than at least the worst of White Sox managers? Affirmative Would Robby the Recapper be a better manager than La Russa? At least one of us says yes Joe is the only one of us to suggest a player-manager, and it’s a winner Brett explains his choice of a reunion for and redemption of Ricky Renteria Hamster selects the elefante in the room, Ozzie Guillén Brett laughs himself to tears, left so verklempt the tape runs out on him at the end fo the podcast There is more Soxivus to come, so tune in next week Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Stolnis, Kris Willis and Ashley MacLennon set the table for the World Series showdown between the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros! Presented by T-Mobile Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Same Kanny hat for Darren Black, same black shirt for Brett Ballantini, and this pair comes back to chat on the Farm to talk Winston-Salem Dash on their weeklong wrap of the White Sox system. Have you read Darren’s season review piece? Well, it is live alongside this podcast, so go get yourself some. The Dash wasn’t the worst team in the system, but they did finish farther out of the race than any other White Sox. That, my friends, was no small task in 2021. Here’s how we broke down the 43-76 Dash: Coud Darren find something to say about the system MVP, José Rodríguez, that hadn’t already been said? Luis Mieses and Harvin Mendoza reclaimed legit prospect status after early setbacks and demotions to Kannapolis. What do they need to do from here to stay on the radar? What’s the proper temperature setting when it comes to excitement about Yoelqui Céspedes: scalding, hot, lukewarm, or cool? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey, Darren Black and Brett Ballantini reassembled, put their Farm uniforms back on for continuity, and are hitting up the Birmingham Barons on their weeklong wrap of the White Sox system. Have you read Darren’s season review piece? Well, it is live alongside this podcast, so, dig it. Birmingham finished with a winning record — to wit, 15 more wins in 10 fewer games than the Charlotte Knights — and won its division. Yet still, they finished poorly, needing one win in six games in the last series of the season to make the playoffs — and failing that. Here’s how we broke down the 62-56 Barons: Was Jameson Fisher the team MVP? Well, yeah, by reader MVP votes. But that was a more a product of the best Barons not having a full season in Birmingham than Fisher’s individual excellence. Woof, did Yolbert Sánchez turn it on once he got his “age promotion” to Double-A Kade McClure sort of backed into Pitcher of the Year status in the system, but he made his bones for 2021 at Birmingham Carlos Pérez seems like he might be a promising catcher? Who can actually catch? Why am I uptalking this into a question? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As other teams mosey on through the playoffs, the White Sox head into the silly season of speculation on matters small and large, and SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast corespondent, Will, take a look at some of it. There are a few chuckles along the way, because most of the speculation is downright nutty — though they do agree if you want to pretend you can trade a guy who can’t function unless it’s the ninth inning and your team has a one- to three-run lead and it’s between 68 and 76 degrees and the wind is blowing in from right center at 8-15 mph with his $16 million contract for anything useful, you might as well decide you’ll get Mike Trout. And Shohei Ohtani. Elsewhere, there’s the usual looking for a second baseman and a right fielder. Why, let’s get Corey Seager to go with Trout! Need a backup catcher who can actually, oh, maybe, catch (unlike even our first-string catcher, whose framing has fallen to mediocre at best, and has never been much good at that blocking or throwing stuff)? Buster Posey seems a natural! Then there are more serious possibilities, such as whether Carlos Rodón should, or will, accept a qualifying offer (Will says yes, Leigh says no — Scott Boras knows the answer). Which leads to possible starting pitcher additions — Max Scherzer seems like a fine idea, and just as realistic as hoping the Easter Bunny leaves an ace in our basket. Speaking of baskets, we all know there will only be a small one as long as Jerry Reinsdorf has his tight fist on the purse strings, which will leave the rest of us as basket cases. That’s the fate of White Sox fans. But, hey, the offseason is for dreaming, so let’s all dream. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Darren Black and Brett Ballantini are back “on the Farm,” with a weeklong wrap-up of the White Sox system. First up are the Charlotte Knights, and Darren’s season review piece is live alongside this podcast. While the Knights were stunningly bad, with the very worst record in all of Triple-A, several successful prospects were shipped up from North Carolina to make an impact on the 2021 White Sox. Here’s how we broke down this 47-81 club: It would have been a neck-and-neck battle for team MVP, but Gavin Sheets’ success in Chicago left the crown to Jake Burger Lost in the incredible start and strange in-season Tony La Russa and retirement dramas are the fact that Yermín Mercedes had his worst season in a long time — at the wrong time Shout-out to Mike Wright Jr. and John Parke! Darren’s gentle reminder: Triple-A records mean nothing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Podcast 68 has to be the best South Side Sox podcast ever, from theme music to Soxivus wailing. Wow, it packs a hilarious punch. The companion article that Joe Resis, Brett Ballantini, Adrian Serrano and Zach Hayes address in the podcast was the brainchild of Tommy Barbee. All five writers submitted entries for their top beef of the season, but was also cover the other seven grievances as well. Here are some highlights: Adrian talks about moving the goalposts, and why it’s fair to criticize a 93-win season Ringmaster Barbee addresses front office-manager kismet, and why it’s Groundhog Day once again heading into the offseason Joe, upset at the lack of a solution in right field, notes that two 2021 free agent possibilities last winter are still playing the LCSs right now Zach laments the business as usual modus operandi that fuels the front office Brett truly didn’t copy Joe, but expresses his discomfort with the White Sox punting its chance to acquire an impact bat last winter Hamster’s mockery of the managerial interview process seemed to get some kudos in terms of a sweet beef among the writers who did not show up and audibly wail over the 2021 Whit Sox And it’s a preview of things to come, but we will be addressing Feats of Strength rather soon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well, the White Sox are out of the playoffs. Some of us wanted a White Sox/Red Sox series. Alas, that won’t happen this year. We’re putting on a brave face and hoping Boston knocks Houston out, so Keelin and Chrystal invited Red Sox writer Bayleigh Von Schnieder on the podcast for a chat. Who is Bayleigh? Meet a talented Red Sox writer, and learn about her Boston roots and why she loves baseball. You can find her on Twitter (@Fraulein89), on our sister site Over the Monster, and at Overtime Heroics. Astros/Red Sox ACLS preview: How will Boston deal with Houston? Bayleigh shares her thoughts and where she’s at in terms of confidence with her team. Fan gatekeeping: After the John Cusack incident at Sox Park, why are we still encouraging this behavior? And why is it worse for women? Women don’t owe you anything, especially pertaining to baseball in 1932. Tweeting about domestic violence: In light of Jeff Passan’s “heartwarming” tweet about Atlanta overcoming so much, think before you tweet or praise players who have a history of domestic violence and abuse towards women. How do we feel about spending, trades, and Tony La Russa: Bayleigh asks the tough questions — and we all reflect on the Chris Sale trade. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the wake of the whomping the White Sox took from the Astros in the ALDS, most every writer or commentator is talking about what a shelling it was and how bad decisions by the HOFBP were instrumental in the team’s demise. But SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, say the collapse was ordained in early summer when warnings from Steve Stone and many others went unheeded and the White Sox starting pitchers were horribly overused. (Listen to the numbers on abuse of Carlos Rodón, if you don’t believe us). They again raise a bunch of details they’ve mentioned before (and pretty much no one else has) about how much more Sox starters pitched than the staffs on any other team in baseball, both in number of innings, and, more importantly, number of pitches, given the quintet’s remarkably low efficiency and consequent high number of pitches per inning. Not that there weren’t terrible bullpen decisions during the series, and not that the HOFBP hurling idiotic accusations about the Astros intentionally hitting José Abreu five innings and three appearances after José Altuve was hit — on the seventh pitch of an at-bat, no less — wasn’t just one more display of what a classless, arrogant jerk he is. Do they say absolutely anybody, including a reasonably trained rooster, could have managed the White Sox to the AAAL Central title? Sure. Do they call for the HOFBP to be fired? Of course. Do they think there’s any chance that will happen? Of course not. And not that there wasn’t a lot of ranting about Astros and cheating and such, though the two disagree on whether cheering when Altuve got hit was over-the-top fan nastiness (other fan nastiness being perfectly fine). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well, this isn’t the podcast we wanted to record, despite it being the one we knew would come eventually. Zach Hayes dashed back from the ballgame, Joe Resis scrambled to find his mic, Jacki Krestel paused her baked pasta, Chrystal O’Keefe made fart noises and Brett Ballantini and Darren Black decide where there were going for dinner, in an ACTION-PACKED half-hour of happy times and warm thoughts. No, of course that ain’t it. The Sox got rocked for the third time in the series, and there were thoughts on that, and other things: How did this great rotation end up throwing one less masterpiece in the playoffs than the 2020 ragtag clown staff? Blame to go around, but what aspect of the team contributed most to the series loss? Tony La Russa: impressions at season’s end Zach shares the atmospheric differences between Blackout Game 3 on Sunday and Blackout Game 4 today The best parts of the 2021 season, for each of us What to look for this offseason from South Side Sox Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Monday’s rainout of Game 4, we found ourselves with some time to preview the rescheduled Tuesday tilt, so naturally Chrystal O’Keefe and Zach Hayes jumped on with Brett Ballantini to do just that. A whole buncha stuff happened since our last podcast, oh, approximately three hours earlier, so we got right to it: Momentum in the series and how the unexpected day off on Monday impacts it Lance McCullers Jr. vs. Carlos Rodón in Game 4, potentially the pitchers’ duel this series has been waiting for Ryan Tepera’s postgame remarks on Sunday night came off as a bit half-cocked, but really, can you trust a thing Houston says or does after the insidious cheating scandal that spanned the end of the last decade? Zach’s impressions of the Blackout Game Sunday (so good, he’s headed back for Game 4), and whether or not he feels he earned a hold or save as one of 40,000 screaming, blacked-out White Sox lunatics After chill dude who, hard to believe or not, claims to back both Chicago baseball teams John Cusack is accosted by an ignorant and mouthy fan who apparently applies that profound lack of knowledge to White Sox writing somewhere, we discuss the misbegotten notion of fan gatekeeping. During the playoffs, of all times No guarantees, but yeah, we’ve got our three most successful game recappers on the case for Game 4 Perhaps Brett forgets Chrystal’s name again Music from SSS writer Scott Reichard Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trying to rush this up because hey, it’s early a.m. and boy oh boyo that was a long game. And a helluva game! Di Billick, Adrian Serrano and Brett Ballantini got together postgame in the wee hours, to discuss this super-fun win. Highlights of what we discussed, before Adrian had to hop on the El to make it to the park in time for Game 4 (slight exaggeration, perhaps, but just slight): For all the stats at hand, does Brett remember the exact final score? No, Brett does not remember the final score We discuss all the heroes of the game, with quotable stats: Tim Anderson, Leury García, Yasmani Grandal, Michael Kopech, Ryan Tepera and Aaron Bummer. The Great Grandal Controversy (or: A Great Defensive Team Decides to Throw a Ball Directly Into a Runner Then Cry Foul) Oh, hey, how about another hero: Tony La Russa What we’re looking for from Carlos Rodón in Game 4, and how the bullpen lines up behind him Impressions of the Blackout Game, 2021 Edition — and the measure impact it had on players Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two games down in the books for the 2021 ALDS, and yes, the White Sox are two games down. That said, it’s Blackout Night! And we wear black and Sox Park not to mourn, but to kick some ass. Host Brett Ballantini is joined by Jacki Krestel, who tonight will be one of just a few thousand folks in the park also to have witnessed Blackout Game I back in 2008. That good juju alone should make this a 2-1 series. After an excessive delay, but in a nick of time, this podcast also marks the debut of SSS writer Scott Reichard’s intro music, and if it doesn’t get you fired up for tonight, nothing will. Here’s some of what Brett and Jacki covered in our preview of Game 3: The roll luck — BABIP or otherwise — has played in the series so far The likelihood of that luck reversing with the series now in Chicago Particularly with Dylan Cease announced as Sunday’s starter, the senselessness of leaving Michael Kopech on a cold slab in the bullpen for Games 1 and 2 in Houston The ridiculousness of some social media claims, be they degrading the South Siders as a vastly inferior team to Houston, or that “fans” should not be allowed to criticize the White Sox You will never guess who convinced Jacki to get to the ballgame tonight — a convert from the North Side! Blackout Game memories — and how vastly different this 2021 White Sox team is from the 2008 division champs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This was a rough game to revisit, but a promise is a promise, and Zach Hayes, Adrian Serrano and Brett Ballantini got together postgame fulfill our playoff mission: a postgame podcast after every game. So, here’s how this one broke down: It was shaping up as a classic game ... until about two-thirds the way through At what point will we see Hall of Fame Baseball Person, Tony La Russa? Pick your favorite mishap of Game 2 Has La Russa given the Astros a huge gift with his bullpen management in Houston? Did Michael Kopech make the postseason roster? Picks for Game 3 starter among Dylan Cease, Carlos Rodón and Kopech Hey, Zach is heading to the Game 3 Blackout, Adrian Game 4 if played, so we take a quick measurement of how awesome that experience is going to be Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It was not an inspiring playoff opener, but Zach Hayes, Joe Resis, Jacki Krestel and Brett Ballantini got together postgame to break down what happened, and how things can change going forward: Good Vibes Krestel turned into Bad Vibes, but by podcast end, she was back to at least OK Vibes Was it the offense, or Lance Lynn? Happy Zach Hayes — say what! Did Dusty Baker give the White Sox a gift with his bullpen management? In working some at-bats and starting to break through late, is the offense really as ramshackle as the box score might indicate? E tu, A.J.? All four of us predict Game 2 wins, although Jacki might be a bit more tipsy tomorrow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So here we are, on the doorsteps of the playoffs, mere minutes from ALDS Game 1, and who better to share in the anticipatory glory than your best White Sox friends in the whole wide world: Adrian Serrano, Joe Resis, Colleen Sullivan and Brett Ballantini? The quartet recognizes this game is so important, a whole new White Sox podcast has been created: the South Side Sox Pregame Podcast. Dig in, as the moments tick down to first pitch: What affect will José Abreu’s flu symptoms have on a crucial Game 1? Brett travels in time! Pros and cons, Lance Lynn starting Game 1 over Lucas Giolito Adrian travels in time! Who knew Seby Zavala could be so important to the White Sox’s playoff hopes! Possible uses for Dallas Keuchel in the postseason — and yes, nearly all of them involve the train at Minute Maid Park Carlos Correa, cheating scandal hero? Yes, Joe travels in time! Which locker room does Dallas walk into when the White Sox arrive at the ballpark in Houston? Bet you can’t guess who’s most nervous about the series — in fact, two of us couldn’t even muster a series prediction Colleen Sullivan absolutely travels in time Wave to Colleen at Game 3, Adrian at (the probably unnecessary, due to White Sox sweep) Game 4 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Talent from all around SB Nation come together to preview the MLB AL Playoffs as John Stolnis, Ashley MacLennon and Andrew Mearns debate all the biggest topics and make their predictions! Presented by T-Mobile Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Funny how at playoff time, wonder twins Luke Smailes and Trevor Lines have come together to activate their powers as Dugout Metrics, once more! Yes, we’re all together again, for the first time since the trade deadline. Brett Ballantini asks the questions, some of them dumb: Obligatory temperature check on the regular season; even the metrics fellas are plenty pleased From a players’ standpoint, what’s the difference between playing a crucial game on the road vs. home? Did you read that question above? The gentlemanly Luke let Brett know in the politest way ever how dumb his question was. Still, Brett leaned in and doubled down with a question of day games vs. night games Asked for the regard in which they held both Dallas Keuchel and Reynaldo López, the pair agreed, in an answer that was actually sort of shocking, given how it could limit the roster What is the best-optimized White Sox lineup, and what has Tony La Russa actually been doing right with his batting order this season? Ever-debonair Luke even gets his webcam to freeze in handsome fashion Will there be a beanball war between old-school managers La Russa and Dusty Baker? Predictions for the ALDS — one of us calls it tight, the other two think it will be an easier series than anticipated Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The postseason is finally here, and SSS duty geezer Leigh Allan and his son and west coast correspondent, Will, peer into the old crystal ball — or, where the Astros are concerned, crystal trash can — to foresee the future, because foreseeing is the only way to see the future. They start out putting together the White Sox 26-man roster, with 12 pitchers, 14 position players, and no one with the initials DK, but a surprise someone with the initials DM. Then it’s on to setting the pitching rotation, with a disagreement on who should be No. 2 and 3. No disagreement, though, on who to blame if one of those starters is weak from incompetent overuse during the regular season (hint: he has rings he’s happy to show any arresting officer who happens along). Finally, of course, they get to predictions for all the playoff series, including any that happen to involve the White Sox. Whole bunch of disagreement there, but for the best of reasons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Podcast 67 is our best ever, and that’s not just because we all learned how to properly hydrate and sing a new campfire song. This pirate broadcast began with Chrystal O’Keefe, Jacki Krestel and Joe Resis signing on with Brett Ballantini for some chat on the 93-69 White Sox, before we were interloped first by Adrian Serrano, then Di Billick. But Di did come with song. Here are some highlights: Impressions of a 93-69 campaign, and how much did the White Sox exceed expectations? Will a lack of “chaos” in the playoff grid — no ties/tiebreakers to be played — affect Chicago’s path to a title? Sing “The Dallas Keuchel Song,” with Di Billick Despite losing the last game of the Sunday, the White Sox finished hot and seemed to jell best at the very end of the season. Can momentum play a factor, through three off-days? True story: Houston’s pocket schedule this season replaced its team name with “Garbage Can-Kicking Little Baby Bitches” Why guitars are the hottest new wall decor among the SSS set And yes, it’s true, more coverage than you can shake a trash can at is on its way for the playoffs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

King of Prep Brett Ballantini, who 1) forgot the podcast episode 2) ran off-camera/mic during the podcast 3) let the “tape” run out on his outro, hosted No. 66 on Thursday with delightful guests Darrin Brown, Zach Hayes and Jacki Krestel. We touched on the Blackout Game anniversary, and looked ahead to the Houston playoff series. Here’s the highlights: Two guests not only were at the Blackout Game in 2008, but presented their towels Did Brett leave the room to retrieve his towel? Perhaps Did Jacki have a treasure trove of other promotions from the souvenir box? Perhaps Was Darrin alive for the Blackout Game? Perhaps Will we ever learn why Zach was punished at the time of the Blackout Game (though he is blessed with great parents, who allowed him to watch the playoffs even under house arrest)? Once again, we debate the wiser choice for No. 1 starter for the White Sox in the postseason. And once agin, we are deadlocked between Lance Lynn and Lucas Giolito Who is player we anticipate seeing break out this postseason and potentially carry the White Sox to a first-round upset? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices