3 Tony La Russa mistakes that doomed the White Sox in ALDS

2. His Game 2 nonsense

This mistake is three for the price of one: La Russa’s entire management of Game 2 was one giant mistake, illustrated by three distinct decisions that gave the Astros the ALDS lead with 9-4.

First, La Russa made another pitching mistake when he let Lucas Giolito come in to pitch the fifth inning despite a wavering performance.

Giolito walked two runners that would ultimately score that inning, which allowed the Astros to come back and tie the game at 4-4.

La Russa then brought in Crochet, who was pitching when the two runners came in for the increased score. With more reliable pitchers left in the bullpen, this game-changing decision by La Russa left a noticeable mark on the scoreboard.

What was even more costly was La Russa’s decision to have Cesar Hernandez hit for Adam Engel in the top of the seventh. In order to replace Engel, Leury Garcia was moved into right field.

Garcia fumbled the ball on what should have been an out that would have ended the inning. Instead, the Astros racked up two more runs, which put them at a comfortable lead ahead of the White Sox.

But perhaps the most lamented decision of all was when La Russa put in pitcher Craig Kimbrel in the seventh. Kimbrel, who some White Sox fans are now wishing they never received in a trade, allowed four runs that effectively sealed the game for the Astros.

All in all, La Russa’s specific decisions directly resulted in eight runs. It’s difficult to know how the events would have unfolded otherwise, but the outcome leave White Sox fans fuming over La Russa’s Game 2 gameplan.