The Chicago White Sox have been one of the best stories in baseball this year, and after three straight seasons with at least 100 losses, they are close to clinching a postseason berth.
The White Sox's magic number is down to just one entering play on Thursday. Any win or Texas Rangers loss punches their ticket to the postseason. The American League is relatively weak this year, and realistically any team can make a run. The biggest question for the White Sox is their pitching.
The White Sox have posted a 4.26 ERA from their starters this year. They tried to address the need at the trade deadline by acquiring Luis Castillo. Unfortunately, Castillo has not been great for the White Sox, and now his season might be over.
"Prior to today’s series finale at Kansas City, the Chicago White Sox placed right-handed pitcher Luis Castillo on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder impingement and recalled right-hander Tyler Davis from Class AAA Charlotte," the White Sox wrote on X on Thursday.
Castillo is a three-time All-Star and the White Sox took a $21 million gamble on him. However, he had an 8.42 ERA in nine games for them. He was even moved into a bullpen role because of how badly he was performing as a starter.
Overall, the entire season has been a disaster for Castillo. He had a 5.06 ERA in Seattle. In the last seven seasons, he had a 3.48 ERA, so this was certainly a surprising falloff for him. If the White Sox make a deep run, he may be healthy enough to return, but whether he's even good enough to be on the postseason roster is a real concern.