HOUSTON — Major League Baseball announced start times for Games 4 and 5 (if necessary) of the White Sox’ Astros best of five American League Division Series against the Astros, assigning a 2:37 p.m. start for a Game 4 Monday at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Game 5 next Wednesday would be a late one, starting at 8:07 p.m. in Houston.
Game 2 in Houston Friday starts at 1:07 p.m. Game 3 Sunday at Guaranteed Rate Field is set for 7:07 p.m.
The Astros led the Sox 6-0 in Game 1 Thursday at Minute Maid Park, scoring five runs against Lance Lynn in 3 2⁄3 innings.
Keuchel left off roster
Left-hander Dallas Keuchel (9-9, 5.28 ERA) was left off the Sox’ 26-man ALDS roster that includes 12 pitchers.
Keuchel, the Sox’ highest-paid pitcher at $18 million who is under contract for the same next season, became the Sox’ fifth- or sixth-best starter and was a question mark for the roster in a best-of-five series that requires four starters at most. The 2015 Cy Young winner with the Astros, he was fifth in Cy Young voting last season after going 6-2 with a 1.99 ERA.
Danny Mendick, who played for Triple-A Charlotte at the end of the season, made the team as an extra bench infielder. Mendick has also played the outfield this season and was tabbed for his versatility. Zack Collins is the No. 2 catcher.
Rodon has encouraging bullpen
Carlos Rodon, a possibile Game 3 or 4 or starter, had a good bullpen session that “excited” pitching coach Ethan Katz Thursday.
“He’s feeling better and better,” Katz said.
Rodon’s velocity has been down in recent starts, giving pause to how he will be used in the ALDS.
Katz didn’t address velocity, but said “his body was moving efficiently. All the shapes of his pitches looked good. It was a really encouraging step for him today for us.”
“Whatever he can give, when Carlos is on the mound, good things have happened for us this year,” Katz said. “We’ll take anything. We’ll take five outs. We’ll take five innings. Whatever he’s able to do is a huge bonus for us.”
