The Chicago White Sox are challenging baseball norms this postseason with a unique pitching strategy. Traditionally, teams rely on a starting rotation to handle most of the workload in games, but the 2026 White Sox, under manager Will Venable, are adopting a bullpen-first approach.
Opener Strategy Takes Center Stage
Venable announced that Hagen Smith, a left-handed reliever, would serve as the opener for Game 1 of the AL Division Series against the Cleveland Guardians. Smith previously pitched three scoreless innings in Game 1 of the wild-card round. This strategy, labeled as “no-rotation,” sees pitchers starting games but not necessarily completing them. Over the season, the White Sox have utilized openers 32 times, leading the league in this approach.
The plan has shown success, illustrated by the use of Sean Burke in Game 2, where he pitched four innings before Anthony Kay and Erick Fedde took over in relief. Venable remains flexible about future game starters, emphasizing he will use the best arms in optimal situations.
Contrasting Approaches of Past Postseasons
This method differs significantly from tactics used in past successful Sox playoffs, such as the 2005 postseason under manager Ozzie Guillén. Back then, the team relied heavily on starters José Contreras, Mark Buehrle, Freddy Garcia, and Jon Garland, who managed complete games regularly.
A notable example was Game 4 of the 2005 World Series, when Garcia pitched seven shutout innings, leading the team to a 1-0 victory and setting up parade plans. Guillén employed a traditional rotation without relying heavily on bullpen strategy.
Adaptation to Team Strengths
General Manager Chris Getz acknowledges the lack of a dominant rotation going into the season. With this insight, Venable adapted by leveraging their bullpen’s strengths. Shane Smith, the intended starter, was reassigned after struggling, leaving Martin, Burke, Kay, and Fedde as the primary options. Grant Taylor became the de facto closer, despite starting as an opener earlier.
This unconventional approach has stirred some criticism. Guillén mentioned on the Chicago Sports Network his disapproval of openers. Yet, if the strategy leads to a championship, it could engrain these players deeper into Chicago’s sports lore, similar to the 2005 team.
Geoff Blum, known for his decisive 2005 World Series home run, remarks that while his notoriety may not compare to the ’85 Bears, the ’05 Sox still enjoy recognition in Chicago, showing the lasting impact of a winning team.