Will Venable catching heat for questionable choices amid White Sox playoff race

The end of August and start of September have been anything but kind to Will Venable and the Chicago White Sox. Since the end of the series against the Minnesota Twins, the White Sox have gone just 3-7. They still hold a two-game lead in the American League Central, but their recent slide has vibes trending in the wrong direction, and some of Venable’s decisions are now starting to draw scrutiny.

Chicago White Sox manager Will Venable catching heat for questionable choices amid playoff race

Miguel Vargas left out of starting lineup

On Wednesday, September 9, with just 18 games remaining in the regular season, Venable made a decision that raised some eyebrows. After just having an off day two days prior, he left Miguel Vargas out of the White Sox starting lineup. Asked about the decision before the game, Venable explained, “Just trying to get through this stretch, so most likely will be the last off day for Miguel Vargas. I think this is 13 or 14 in a row that we’re getting going, so you’re just trying to get through here and put everyone in the best spot.”

Venable is right that Chicago is entering a grueling stretch of 13 consecutive games, but proactively resting one of the team’s key players at the start of that stretch is difficult to justify when the White Sox desperately need an offensive spark. At the time, if any player needed a rest one would have thought it was Munetaka Murakami, who in the sixth inning of Wednesday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, snapped a streak of striking out in eight consecutive at-bats after being hit by a pitch.

Furthermore, Venable’s decision looks even more puzzling in hindsight, considering Vargas eventually entered the game as a pinch hitter for Andrew Benintendi and wound up making three plate appearances. If Vargas was healthy enough to play three times, it begs the question of why he wasn’t in the lineup from the start.

Ultimately, despite a late rally, highlighted by Murakami’s solo home run in the eighth inning, the White Sox couldn’t complete a comeback and endured another loss. Chicago loaded the bases with one out after the homer, but an inning-ending double play snuffed out the threat. The White Sox failed to mount another rally in the ninth, ultimately falling 4-2.

Hagen Smith announced as starting pitcher for Thursday’s game

After the game, Venable provided another notable update, announcing rookie Hagen Smith as the starter for the series finale as the White Sox look to avoid a sweep. Smith has been impressive to begin his career and was a starter throughout the minor leagues, but his role has been limited to relief since reaching the majors.

Dating back to his MLB debut on August 9, Smith has topped out at just 48 pitches in a single appearance, raising questions about how much length he can provide in a game the White Sox desperately need to win.

With Chicago in the middle of a grueling 13-game stretch, how much Smith can give them could prove especially important. If he struggles or is unable to provide meaningful length, the decision to put him in that spot will only invite more scrutiny toward Venable, particularly with the White Sox fighting to hold onto their place atop the division.

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