3 correct buttons Will Venable pushed in White Sox Game 1 playoff win

Second-year manager Will Venable has his first playoff win under his belt, as his Chicago White Sox defeated the Houston Astros 6-3 in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series. The victory marked the organization’s first postseason win since 2021. If the White Sox can win one of the next two games against the Astros, they’ll advance in the playoffs for the first time since 2005, where a matchup with the Cleveland Guardians in the ALDS awaits.

Without getting too far ahead of ourselves, it’s worth taking a moment to appreciate the job Venable did in Game 1, particularly considering it was a bullpen game. From his lineup construction, pitching matchups, and in game decisions, Venable consistently put his players in position to succeed. Here are three examples from the game where he made the right call.

3 correct buttons Will Venable pushed during the White Sox Game 1 wi

1) Moving Colson Montgomery to the ninth spot

Before the game, Venable made an interesting lineup adjustment, moving power-hitting shortstop Colson Montgomery into the ninth spot. Montgomery set an MLB record for strikeouts during the regular season, but he also showcased his power with 31 home runs. It was a spot in the batting order he hadn’t occupied all season, but the move immediately paid off. Montgomery rewarded his manager’s decision by launching a solo home run in the fourth inning.

2) Astros star Yordan Alvarez saw just one plate appearance against a right-handed pitcher

One bat the White Sox need to neutralize in this series is Yordan Alvarez. The left-handed slugger flirted with a Triple Crown this season, but one area Venable chose to exploit was the significant split in Alvarez’s OPS against right-handed (.1.114) and left-handed (.825) pitching. In Game 1, Venable strategically deployed left-handers against Alvarez. Opener Hagen Smith faced him twice, while Sean Newcomb faced him once, and Alvarez failed to reach base in all three plate appearances. The lone time Alvarez faced a right-hander, Grant Taylor, he singled.

3) Sticking with Grant Taylor to finish the game

Reliever Grant Taylor was undoubtedly the White Sox’s most consistent bullpen arm all season, posting a 2.25 ERA and recording 10 saves. He also possesses some of the best stuff on the staff, striking out 31% of the batters he faced. In Game 1, Venable entrusted Taylor with the final seven outs, and he delivered. Taylor threw a season-high 54 pitches, his most in a game since April 2025, when he was still in Double-A, while striking out five. Despite having baserunners in all three innings, Taylor never lost his composure, navigating the traffic and closing out the 6-3 victory.

• Related: Will Venable already has Game 2 pitching plan in mind

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