American League Division Series Preview: Guardians vs. White Sox

It isn't my favorite set-up to have two years in a row the Guardians overcome a significant deficit to win the AL Central, only to meet their division rival in the playoffs a week later. But, here we are. Let's hope the results are more to Cleveland's favor this time around.

The White Sox won the season series 7-6, with 11 of those games decided by three or fewer runs and six by only one run. Two games went into extra innings. Expect this series to be hard-fought and likely go five games.

For the season, the White Sox were 5th in MLB at 104 wRC+, the Guardians were 20th in MLB at 97 wRC+, the White Sox were 20th in MLB at -4.1 baserunning runs above average, the Guardians were eighth in baserunning runs above average at 5.2, the White Sox were 14th in Defense at -14.3, the Guardians were eighth in Defense at -7.3, the White Sox were 26th in starting pitchee ERA at 4.60 ERA (4.41 FIP), the Guardians were 9th in starting pitcher ERA at 3.93 (3.89 FIP), the White Sox had the eighth best bullpen ERA at 3.70 (4.10 FIP), and the Guardians had the sixth best bullpen ERA at 3.54 ERA (3.70 FIP).