As September draws to a close and the postseason picture becomes clearer, elite teams from both leagues have begun to clinch playoff berths. The Boston Red Sox have guaranteed themselves a spot in the playoffs. The Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Washington Nationals have already locked down their respective divisions. And, the Chicago Cubs, owners of the best record in baseball, have already clinched their division and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
One likely playoff team will have to wait for their champagne showers, though.
On Sunday, the Chicago White Sox and sophomore starter Carlos Rodon shut out the Cleveland Indians, delaying the Tribe from clinching the AL Central title.
Rodon has experienced mixed results in his second big league season. In his first two starts, he allowed just two earned runs over 13 innings (1.38 ERA) while striking out 12. In his third start of the season, he lasted just one third of an inning, allowing five earned runs on six hits.
The majority of his 2016 campaign has fallen between those two extremes.
His latest outing, though, gave fans a glimpse at the dominant talent that led the White Sox to select him third overall in the 2014 draft.
Over the course of eight shutout innings, Rodon allowed just two hits (both singles), walked three, and struck out 11 (tying his career high).
Closer David Robertson pitching a scoreless ninth, striking out the side.
For Rodon, the excellent start has to be a relief. After pitching lights out in the month of August (3-0, 30.2 IP, 1.47 ERA), the NC State product came back to earth a bit in September. Prior to Sunday’s start, he had recorded back-to-back outings of six earned runs.
Silencing a dangerous Indian’s roster was a nice way to snap out of that funk.
For his part, Indians starter Josh Tomlin pitched quite well, allowing just one earned run over 6 2/3. Unfortunately, neither Cleveland’s offense nor defense provided much support. Rodon made the offense a nonfactor and the Indian’s defense committed three errors (leading to two unearned runs).
However, while they weren’t able to clinch at home on Sunday, Cleveland likely won’t have to wait very long.
On Monday they will begin a four-game set on the road against the Detroit Tigers. Barring a sweep, the Indians will be crowned AL Central champs in the visitor’s locker room in Comerica Park.
Scott Ferris covers all things baseball as a Staff Writer for Outside Pitch MLB. You can follow him on Twitter @ScottHFerris
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