The Chicago White Sox Opening starter Shane Smith lasted just three outings before being demoted to Triple-A. So it’s only fitting that in the team’s first playoff appearance in five years, they turn to a rookie to open a bullpen game in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series.
Will Venable told reporters that Hagen Smith will take the ball in a “bullpen-type game” to kick off the series opener in Houston. The Astros will counter by sending AJ Blubaugh to the mound. In 64 games, the right-hander has posted a 3.66 ERA with 94 strikeouts across 96 innings but has yet to start a game this season.
Blubaugh has already faced the White Sox three times this season and has yet to allow a run, however, he has surrendered three hits and two walks during that three-inning sample size.
The White Sox became accustomed to bullpen games under Will Venable in 2026. A lack of depth in the starting rotation was a major reason why. The White Sox rotation produced just 34 quality starts this season, with only four teams recording fewer. Chicago used an opener 21 times during the regular season, posting a 12-9 record in those games.
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But due to the heavy reliance on openers and an inability by the starting rotation to consistently pitch deep into games, Chicago’s bullpen threw more innings than any other in MLB and began to show signs of wear during the final month.
The success of the opener strategy was made possible by a deep bullpen, but its success hinges on getting through the opening inning without giving up a run. Despite being a rookie, Smith is the right man for the job. The former first-round pick out of Arkansas has been nearly unhittable this season, posting a 1.29 ERA across 28 innings while striking out 37% of the batters he has faced. Opponents have a .159 expected batting average against him, a mark that would rank among the best in MLB if he had enough innings to qualify.
Smith also projects as a starter long term and spent most of his time in Charlotte working out of the Knights’ rotation. For now, though, his biggest challenge will be limiting the free passes. The 23-year-old owns a 14% walk rate and has already issued 16 walks this season.
Sean Burke, who emerged as the White Sox ace midway through the season, appears to be in line to start Game 2. He would be on regular rest, but Venable stopped short of confirming his plans for the second game. However, given the importance of Game 1 — with historical data showing the winner goes on to win the series roughly 80% of the time — there is a chance Burke could be used as a long reliever out of the bullpen on short rest.
For the Astros, Hunter Brown is expected to get the ball in Game 2. Brown has been one of Houston’s most reliable starters this season, posting a 3.19 ERA across 20 starts. In his lone start against the White Sox on September 3, he held the South Siders to two runs over six innings.
