The big league club isn’t the only one in the White Sox organization making a postseason push. Three White Sox affiliates are in the playoffs, with two beginning tonight.
Charlotte Knights
83-61, AAA International League South champs
Opponent: Indianapolis Indians (Pirates), 89-55
Format: Best-of-five, games 1-2 in Charlotte, games 3-5 in Indianapolis
The Knights have a tough task in the IL semifinals. The Indians had the league’s best record. Charlie Leesman (12-10, 2.47 ERA) starts tonight for the Knights against Rick VandenHurk (13-5, 2.92 ERA), who has pitched in the Majors in parts of the last five years.
Winston-Salem Dash
87-51, High-A Carolina League Southern first and second half champs
Opponent: Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Rangers), 74-65
Format: Best-of-three, all games in Winston-Salem
The Dash collected the best record among full season clubs in all of minor league baseball and now have to live up to that in the playoffs. Due to winning the division title in both halves they have all three games at home if needed in the semis. Prospects Erik Johnson (4-3, 2.74 ERA) and Scott Snodgress (4-0, 1.50 ERA) have dominated at times since joining the team in the second half and will start the first two games. They will have the backing of the league’s best offense.
Great Falls Voyagers
38-36, Rookie Pioneer League North first half champs
Opponent: Billings/Missoula
Format: Best-of-three, game 1 on the road, games 2-3 in Great Falls
The defending Pioneer League champion Voyagers return to the postseason thanks to a 24-14 first half, but they enter tonight just 14-22 in the second half. They still have two more regular season games and the battle for the second half division title is still extremely close between Missoula and Billings.