The White Sox Podcast w/ Chuck Garfien

White Sox-Cardinals: Lucas Giolito, Jack Flaherty go head-to-head

White Sox ace Lucas Giolito and St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jack Flaherty were teammates at Harvard-Westlake High School in Los Angeles. Now they’re facing off against each other as big leaguers for the very first time Tuesday night on the South Side. Chuck Garfien speaks with their high school baseball coach, Matt LaCour, who tells stories about their prep careers and what it took for them to become elite major league pitchers. LaCour, who is coming to town for the big game, talks about what it will be like being at Guaranteed Rate Field to watch his former pitchers go head-to-head.(2:46) - How did the legendary high school rotation featuring Lucas Giolito, Max Fried, and Jack Flaherty come together?(7:30) - When Matt LaCour first saw that Lucas Giolito had the potential to be something special(10:40) - The time Giolito accidentally hit Max Fried in the face with a pitch in high school(15:20) - The text LaCour received from Flaherty telling him he needs to come to Chicago for the game(20:05) - Watching the growth of Giolito in the majors(35:10) - LaCour on his former pitching coach Ethan Katz coaching Giolito in the majors

Tony La Russa, Yermín Mercedes and White Sox taking it to Twins

In one of the most unforgettable series in recent memory, the battle between the White Sox and Twins was also a dividing line between old-school and new-school baseball. Chuck Garfien, Ryan McGuffey and Vinnie Duber talk about everything from Yermín Mercedes launching a home run on a 3-0 pitch in a blowout to Tony La Russa sticking to the unwritten rules of baseball to the White Sox taking two of three from the Twins in a series that buried Minnesota even further into the basement of the AL Central.1:55 - Summing up a tense White Sox-Twins series7:00 - La Russa - Mercedes fall out16:48 - Throwing at batters for retaliation

White Sox and Twins going in opposite directions

The White Sox and Twins were expected to battle it out for the AL Central title, but with Memorial Day approaching, the White Sox are at the top of the division and the Twins are fighting to stay out of the cellar. Can the Twins turn their season around, or will they be forced to make an early surrender and sell before the trade deadline? Chuck Garfien and Ryan McGuffey speak with Twins beat writer Dan Hayes from The Athletic about the Twins' struggles and how the White Sox made it to first place. They also discuss the current playoff and World Series projections for both teams.(3:15) - Why have the Twins been so bad this year?(13:10) - Everything that could go wrong for the Twins has gone wrong(19:15) - Will the Twins pull the plug on the season and trade away players?(25:10) - Current odds to make the playoffs in the AL Central division(30:20) - Is there a chance the Twins can comeback?(38:00) - Current World Series Odds for the AL Centeral

How the White Sox found Yermín Mercedes, plus Jake Burger’s comeback

Yermín Mercedes has been one of the best stories in baseball in the early stages of the 2021 season as he's completed his journey from unknown prospect to the American League Rookie of the Month. So how did the White Sox find him? Chuck Garfien speaks with White Sox assistant general manager Chris Getz, who explains how the team came upon Mercedes in 2017, the path Mercedes took to the majors, how Mercedes forced his way on the Opening Day roster and if he believes Mercedes can stick in the majors.(4:10) - How did a talent like Yermín Mercedes go under the radar for so long?(9:05) - Scouting Mercedes in the minors(14:00) - How other teams are reacting to his success(17:50) - Now a beer is named after him!(20:00) - Jake Burger's growth in the minors this year

It’s time the White Sox show the Minnesota Twins who’s boss in the AL Central

The Minnesota Twins have been taking it to the White Sox for years. How about some revenge! With the Twins limping into town with a 12-20 record, it's time for the first place White Sox to knock them down and keep them down. Chuck Garfien, Ryan McGuffey, and Chris Kamka talk about their frustrations with the Twins over the years and why it's important for the White Sox to make a statement against their division rivals, not just this week when they meet for three games on the South Side, but next week when they face each other again for three more battles in Minnesota. (3:10) - The Twins have been beating the White Sox for years. It's time to start ending their hopes, NOW!(8:10) - What has gone wrong for the Twins so far this season?(15:30) - We're not impressed with the Royals(20:35) - Yasmani Grandal is getting a ton of walks. Will he find his bat soon?(28:50) - White Sox depth is proving its worth with all the injuries(35:00) - The Sox have a chance to solidify 1st place in the AL Central

White Sox manager Tony La Russa taking heat for another loss

After a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to the Reds in 10 innings, Tony La Russa is facing criticism for his decision-making in the late innings, specifically for not being aware of a wrinkle in the extra-inning rules that would have prevented Liam Hendriks from running the bases. How did things go so wrong for La Russa and the White Sox coaching staff? Chuck Garfien, Vinnie Duber, and Ryan McGuffey break down what happened and the decisions that were made by La Russa that led to an ugly defeat in Cincinnati.(3:00) - How many times is this going to keep happening with La Russa where he is blindsided by something?(8:00) - Who is being held accountable on the coaching staff when no one knows the rule?(14:20) - Tony La Russa in his own words, admits he didn't know the rule(17:20) - Reaction to the media needing to explain the rule to La Russa(21:00) - Will this keep happening this season?

BREAKING: How the White Sox can overcome the loss of Luis Robert

The injury to Luis Robert is devastating for the White Sox. First Eloy Jiménez, now Robert. The center fielder is out 12 to 16 weeks with a Grade 3 hip flexor strain, a complete tear. So what do the White Sox do now? Chuck Garfien, Ryan McGuffey, and Vinnie Duber discuss the back-breaking loss of Robert and examine the outfield market to see who the White Sox can acquire.

White Sox manager Tony La Russa’s first month back in the dugout

It's been an up-and-down April for both the White Sox and manager Tony La Russa. Chuck Garfien, Vinnie Duber and Ryan McGuffey discuss how La Russa has performed in his first month back in the dugout, including how he's managed his starters, the bullpen, lineups, and the coaching staff. They go over the tough loss to the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night, when Lucas Giolito remained in the game despite being out of gas. Plus, they talk about what they're learning about La Russa as a manager in 2021.(3:15) - How would you describe Tony La Russa's first month of managing?(8:38) - There have been great games and rough ones like Tuesday vs. Tigers(11:40) - Understanding Lucas Giolito and when he's done(16:00) - La Russa's decision to go with Billy Hamilton and Leury Garcia, not Zack Collins or Andrew Vaughn(27:20) - La Russa is being held to a World Series standard

The White Sox plan for Michael Kopech in 2021

Following Michael Kopech’s electrifying 10-strikeout victory as a starter on Sunday, how will the White Sox use their fireball pitcher going forward? Chuck Garfien and Ryan McGuffey talk about Kopech’s role as a starter and reliever for the rest of 2021. They go back to Kopech’s previous home start in 2018 to see how far the White Sox have come since the lowest point of the rebuild. Plus, Kopech’s relationship with Kansas City Chiefs MVP Patrick Mahomes and more. (3:40) - How Kopech has become a better pitcher in 2021(8:30) - Who was in the White Sox lineup for his previous start at home in 2018?(16:15) - NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes' tweet about Kopech and their relationship going back to high school(22:00) - What's next for Kopech? When will he become a full-time member of the rotation?

White Sox offseason moves: Early returns and overreactions

We're only three weeks into the baseball season, but after spending months poring over various free agent and trade possibilities for the White Sox, how are all of them doing to start the campaign? Chuck Garfien, Ryan McGuffey, and Vinnie Duber talk about who the White Sox added (Adam Eaton, Lance Lynn, Liam Hendriks), who they didn't (George Springer, Joc Pederson, José Quintana, Corey Kluber), who they lost (Dane Dunning, James McCann) and more.(4:06) - Starting pitchers that the White Sox could have had, starting with Corey Kluber. Still want him?(13:20) - Adam Eaton vs. everybody else(19:00) - Lots of Joc Pederson talk(27:43) - Is Yermín Mercedes better than Nelson Cruz? Did we just ask that question?(32:40) - Are the White Sox set at catcher or did they miss on someone?