CLEVELAND — Hagen Smith has quickly become the White Sox pitcher who can change the shape of a postseason game. The rookie left-hander opened the American League Division Series with 2 2/3 hitless, scoreless innings Saturday, helping Chicago take a 3-0 Game 1 victory over the Guardians at Progressive Field.
Smith struck out four, walked three and threw 51 pitches before handing a bases-loaded situation to Bryan Hudson in the third. Hudson retired Chase DeLauter on a fly ball to left, and the White Sox bullpen carried the shutout home. Grant Taylor handled an unusual four-inning save as Chicago continued a playoff push few saw coming after three straight 100-loss seasons.
Smith gives Chicago another October option
The 23-year-old had already set the tone in the Wild Card Series against Houston, working three scoreless innings in Game 1 on Tuesday. His latest assignment showed why manager Will Venable has been willing to use him as an opener, a bulk option or a late-inning bullpen piece.
- Smith: 2 2/3 innings, no hits, no runs, four strikeouts and three walks.
- His fastball averaged 95 mph and reached 97.5 mph.
- He also mixed an 83.5 mph slider with an 89 mph cutter.
- Chicago won, 3-0, for a 1-0 lead in the ALDS.
Guardians designated hitter Jo Adell said Smith consistently worked the edges rather than giving hitters pitches over the middle. Adell noted that Smith moved his fastball effectively and used his breaking pitches in and away from the barrel.
Smith looked comfortable through the early portion of his outing, then lost the zone with two outs in the third. Three consecutive walks filled the bases, ending his afternoon. Hudson entered for the left-on-left matchup with DeLauter and got the out that kept Cleveland off the board.
Smith called the relief job from Hudson and the rest of the bullpen “awesome,” while acknowledging that his final inning had not unfolded as he wanted.
From Charlotte starter to bullpen weapon
Chicago selected Smith fifth overall in the 2024 Draft out of the University of Arkansas. He began this season in Triple-A Charlotte’s rotation, but a left shoulder impingement sidelined him for about a month. When he returned, the organization shifted him into relief.
That move led him to the Major League bullpen in early August, where he finished the regular season with a 1.29 ERA and 41 strikeouts over 28 innings. The White Sox have now stretched that relief profile into a flexible October role.
Smith said he has adjusted to the cadence of bullpen work and feels comfortable preparing to pitch every other day. After Saturday’s 51-pitch appearance, he said he believed he could be ready again for Game 2.
Venable weighs Game 2 and Game 3 plans
Venable said the initial plan was for Smith to cover three or four innings, depending on his pitch total. The command trouble in the third required an earlier move, particularly against a Cleveland lineup that can turn walks into a damaging inning.
- Smith and Hudson were intended to cover DeLauter’s second trip through the order.
- Hudson’s flyout against DeLauter ended the immediate threat.
- Right-hander Sean Burke is expected to work in a bulk role in Game 2.
- Smith is not expected to start Monday, though an inning of relief remains possible.
- Chicago could instead save Smith for a Game 3 start Wednesday at home.
Game 2 is scheduled for Monday at 5 p.m. ET, with Sunday serving as an off-day. Another off-day follows Tuesday before the series moves to Chicago.
Smith said he is prepared for whichever assignment arrives next. For him, the larger point is the trust inside a White Sox clubhouse that has kept playing deep into October: the pitchers believe in the defenders behind them, and the club is playing hard for one another.
