Did Tony La Russa make a mistake starting Carlos Rodon over Lancy Lynn in Game 4 vs. Astros?

Tony La Russa may have cost the Chicago White Sox their season by starting Carlos Rodon in Game 4 of the 2021 ALDS vs. the Houston Astros over Lance Lynn.

The Chicago White Sox are facing elimination and going with a struggling starter in Carlos Rodon may come back to haunt skipper Tony La Russa.

Rodon was not pitching up to his standard down the stretch after battling injury and fatigue. While Lance Lynn could have gotten the start in Game 4 on normal rest after the game was postponed to Tuesday, La Russa made a bold decision to roll with Rodon.

He lasted 2.2 innings before getting pulled in favor of Michael Kopech in an elimination game. A Carlos Correa double gave the Houston Astros a 2-1 lead and chased Rodon from the game.

Did La Russa make a mistake?

While Houston was the better team throughout the season, these are the type of managerial gaffes that knock teams out of division series prematurely.

Chicago White Sox: Did Tony La Russa make a mistake starting Carlos Rodon?

No matter what the final score of Game 4 is, La Russa’s decision to start Rodon did not pan out. He did not make it through the third inning and only threw 56 pitches before getting pulled. The bridge with Kopech and Garrett Crochet didn’t work either who combined to give up three runs.

While there are no guarantees that Lynn would have been any better, the White Sox bullpen will be completely taxed heading into win-or-go-home Game 5 if they can come back vs. the Astros.

In an elimination game in front of the home crowd, the starting pitcher needs to go at least five.

La Russa gambled and it backfired.