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White Sox vs Astros postseason preparations are complete, with Chicago announcing its 26-player roster for the American League Wild Card Series in Houston. The roster features a few important decisions, including the return of catcher Jake Rogers and the inclusion of pitchers Huáscar Brazobán and David Sandlin.
The White Sox will face the Astros at Daikin Park in a short, high-pressure series. With limited opportunities to recover from a difficult outing, Chicago shaped its roster around pitching flexibility, right-left matchups and the specific roles it expects to use during the postseason.
White Sox vs Astros Roster Brings Surprising Decisions
There were few major surprises, but several choices drew attention. Brazobán and Sandlin claimed the final two places on Chicago’s 12-person pitching staff. Their selections came at the expense of Trevor Richards and Tyler Davis, who were left off the Wild Card roster.
Manager Will Venable explained that the decision was based less on overall value and more on how each pitcher could be used during a short series. Richards and Davis were viewed as options farther down the team’s usual pitching hierarchy, while the club believed other arms offered more immediate matchup value.
“It was a really hard decision because we value all these guys and they have all had an incredible impact on our journey here,” Venable said, as reported by MLB.com. He added that the staff decisions ultimately reflected the team’s expected usage patterns against Houston.
Jake Rogers Returns for a Critical Postseason Role
Rogers returned to the roster after spending the end of the regular season on the paternity list. He was chosen as one of Chicago’s two catchers, joining Kyle Teel. Drew Romo was removed from the postseason group to make room for Rogers.
Venable said the decision to carry Rogers had effectively been made earlier and that the White Sox wanted to remain consistent with that plan. Rogers’ return gives Chicago additional experience behind the plate as the club enters one of the most important stretches of its season.
“We had made that choice earlier to have Jake over Romo,” Venable said. “So Romo comes off, Rogers is on.”
Sean Burke Expected to Make an Impact Against Houston
Chicago had not announced a starter for Game 2, but Venable confirmed that Sean Burke would have a significant role. Burke expressed excitement about arriving in Houston and experiencing the heightened attention that comes with playoff baseball.
“It’s exciting,” Burke said. “Just getting to Houston and kind of getting into this environment.”
The White Sox will rely on a deep pitching mix that includes seven right-handers and five left-handers. Erick Fedde, Jordan Hicks, Davis Martin and Grant Taylor are among the right-handed options, while Bryan Hudson, Anthony Kay, Sean Newcomb, Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith provide left-handed depth.
That balance could become especially important against the Astros’ lineup. Chicago’s bullpen may need to cover multiple innings, particularly if the game develops into a matchup-driven contest. In a Wild Card Series, every pitching change can carry major consequences.
Complete White Sox Wild Card Roster
The White Sox roster entering the series includes:
- Right-handed pitchers: Huáscar Brazobán, Sean Burke, Erick Fedde, Jordan Hicks, Davis Martin, David Sandlin and Grant Taylor
- Left-handed pitchers: Bryan Hudson, Anthony Kay, Sean Newcomb, Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith
- Catchers: Jake Rogers and Kyle Teel
- Infielders: Luisangel Acuña, Chase Meidroth, Colson Montgomery, Munetaka Murakami and Miguel Vargas
- Outfielders: Sam Antonacci, Andrew Benintendi, Brenton Doyle, Randal Grichuk, Braden Montgomery, Tristan Peters and Tommy Pham
The offensive group gives Chicago a blend of speed, experience and defensive versatility. Veterans such as Andrew Benintendi, Randal Grichuk and Tommy Pham will be expected to provide steady at-bats, while younger players could play important roles depending on the game situation.
Game 1 is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, with the series continuing Wednesday. The White Sox have not yet revealed their Game 2 starter, making Burke’s expected involvement one of the most closely watched developments heading into the next matchup.
For Chicago, the roster announcement signals a clear postseason strategy: trust flexible pitching, preserve matchup advantages and use experience behind the plate. Against Houston, those decisions could quickly determine whether the White Sox advance or see their season end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the White Sox playing in the Wild Card Series?
The Chicago White Sox are playing the Houston Astros in the American League Wild Card Series at Daikin Park.
Which catcher returned to the White Sox roster?
Jake Rogers returned after being on the paternity list and was selected over Drew Romo as one of Chicago’s two catchers.
Which pitchers earned the final roster spots?
Huáscar Brazobán and David Sandlin earned the final spots on Chicago’s 12-person pitching staff.
Who was left off the White Sox postseason roster?
Trevor Richards and Tyler Davis were left off the pitching staff, while Drew Romo did not make the catching group.
Who is expected to pitch a significant role in Game 2?
Sean Burke is expected to handle a significant role in Game 2, although Chicago had not announced a starting pitcher.
