(670 The Score) With two weeks left in the regular season, one of the White Sox's main objectives is to slot their starting rotation in the best manner possible for the playoffs.
Entering action Monday, the White Sox's magic number to clinch the AL Central crown over the second-place Indians was four. Once that's sealed, they can turn more attention to their playoff rotation, which for now is still being discussed.
"We have a good plan and they will get stretched out over the next couple of starts, so we should be on time," manager Tony La Russa said. "There are still conversations to be had (about slotting). We will see who will match up best. Right now, we will keep the starters where they are and give them the extra day. The rest should take care of itself."
Right-hander Lucas Giolito, right-hander Lance Lynn and left-hander Carlos Rodon have all recently returned from injuries that kept them out of portions of August and/or September. Building up their arm strength must be balanced with keeping them fresh.
Giolito threw 97 pitches in 5 1/3 innings in his team's 7-2 win against the Rangers on Sunday. The White Sox had planned to take him out after five innings, but Giolito told team personnel he was "really feeling good" and wanted to build up his pitch count, La Russa said.
"These games leading up to the playoffs are the final push going out there and trying to stay as focused as possible," Giolito said. "This is all about results right now. It's making good pitches and sequencing well. We try to be as efficient as possible and go as deep into games as we can."
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Lynn threw 83 pitches in 5 1/3 innings in the White Sox's 2-1 loss to the Rangers on Saturday, allowing two runs, one earned, on six hits and two walks while striking out five. A day later, Lynn on Sunday reported his arm "feels great," La Russa said in sharing an encouraging sign.
Rodon's sore throwing shoulder has been a trickier issue than the injuries that Lynn (knee) and Giolito (hamstring) dealt with. Rodon is set to start Monday night, when Chicago opens at three-game series at Detroit. After that, the plan is for Rodon (12-5, 2.38 ERA, 0.96 WHIP) to pitch one more time in the final week of the regular season.
The White Sox have been giving him extended rest, including nine days before this upcoming start against the Tigers. Rodon hasn't pitched more than five innings in a game since July 18, and how strong he feels could factor into where he slots into the team's playoff rotation.
"It's a good plan," Rodon said last Thursday. "It's about what's best for the team and just being ready to pitch."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
