Quinn Harris/USA TODAY Sports
The 2021 American League Division Series kicks off on Thursday afternoon with the Astros hosting the White Sox at 4:07 p.m. ET and then the Rays hosting the Red Sox at 8:07 p.m. ET.
HOUSTON ASTROS (95-67) VS. CHICAGO WHITE SOX (93-69)
ALDS, GAME 1: RHP LANCE MCCULLERS JR. (13-5, 3.16) VS. LHP LANCE LYNN (11-6, 2.69)
Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021 • Minute Maid Park • Houston, TX • 3:07 p.m. CT • FS1
White Sox starter Lance Lynn enters the game having allowed 21 earned runs in his last three starts against the Astros. Astros starter McCullers Jr. had a 2.08 ERA in two starts against Chicago this season.
The White Sox decided to leave veteran starter Dallas Keuchel off their ALDS roster. Perhaps the most notable omission from the Astros roster is former Mets prospect Blake Taylor. The left-handed reliever had a 3.16 ERA during the regular season.
BOSTON RED SOX (0-0) at TAMPA BAY RAYS (0-0)
Thursday, October 7, 2021 • ALDS Game 1 • Tropicana Field • St. Petersburg, FL
LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (0-0, -.–) vs. LHP Shane McClanahan (0-0, -.–)
8:07 p.m. ET • TV: FS1 • Radio: WEEI 93.7 FM
Just months after signing an extension with the Red Sox, All-Star reliever Matt Barnes has been left off Boston’s ALDS roster. Good news for Red Sox fans though is that JD Martinez is healthy enough to be added to the roster after missing the Wild Card game.
Looking at the Rays ALDS roster and two names not being on there jump out: Ryan Yarborough (their leader in innings pitched this season) and Brett Philips (2020 postseason hero).
