Don’t pretend you’re innocent in all this! Below is a short list of all the pundits at fault for the A’s picking up a hit on Lucas Giolito
The White Sox righty was dominant through 6.1 innings, only to have his perfect game and no hitter attempt fall through thanks to a single from an unlikely source in Tommy La Stella. Yes, that guy.
I’m willing to take some blame, as our staff was ready to write up a quick recap of Giolito’s legendary performance. Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be. For a brief moment there, we all forgot there was another baseball game happening in Minnesota. I’d like to apologize to the Twins and, yes, the Houston Astros.
Lucas Giolito has faced 18 Oakland A's hitters.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) September 29, 2020
Lucas Giolito has retired 18 Oakland A's hitters.
He has thrown only 73 pitches.
This is getting very interesting.
White Sox-A's are on ESPN right now.
LUCAS GIOLITO IS OUT FOR BLOOD https://t.co/0H0HOV4AgQ
— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) September 29, 2020
Lucas Giolito on using MLB The Show for visualization/enhancing his Mental game. pic.twitter.com/ST2iFU56Nd
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 29, 2020
15 up and 15 down for Lucas Giolito.
— Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) September 29, 2020
Lucas Giolito has a perfect game going through five innings. Chicago leads 3-0 in Game 1.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) September 29, 2020
Lucas Giolito certainly making his postseason debut rather memorable. https://t.co/uzzj7h9DwE
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) September 29, 2020
6 perfect innings. In his first ever playoff start. In the first White Sox playoff game in 12 years. I wish I could give Lucas Giolito a standing ovation in that ballpark right now.
— Mike (@ChiSoxFanMike) September 29, 2020
On behalf of all my media friends, I’m sorry. There was no way to avoid this phenomenon. When a pitcher is throwing a perfect game in the postseason, people notice. We cover baseball for a living.
Giolito’s performance still among the best in recent memory
Giolito still gave his team every opportunity to get out to an early lead in a best-of-three series. Not to mention, he already made history once this season. Perhaps it wasn’t his turn, given that fact.
The White Sox and Athletics series was deemed a toss-up by Vegas, and it’s easy to see why. Neither team was playing particularly well heading into the playoffs, and despite the White Sox advantage on paper, they’re actually the lower-seeded team.
Please forgive us, White Sox fans. Oakland, you’re welcome. Congratulations for having a better lineup than the Pittsburgh Pirates.