Venable's Basketball Blueprint Fuels White Sox Playoff Push
AI-generated image · US National Wire
The former Princeton shooting guard is applying court-based precision to a pitching staff that has the South Siders five wins away from the World Series.
The Chicago White Sox are five wins from a place in the World Series after securing a 4-3 Game 2 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Monday, as The Guardian first reported. The turnaround is stark for a franchise that lost 121 games two seasons ago and saw manager Will Venable lose 102 games in his 2025 debut season.
Venable, a former Princeton University shooting guard from 2001 to 2005, is attributing the team's success to the spatial and collective concepts of the Princeton basketball offense. The Guardian reports that Venable has abandoned traditional playoff pitching routines—which typically rely on a starter for six-plus innings—in favor of managing matchups and short bursts. This "read-and-react" philosophy focuses on who can get the next out rather than fixed roles.
Beyond the tactical shift, players credit Venable's confidence for the spark. Rookie Braden Montgomery, who hit a decisive opposite-field double in the sixth inning Monday, expressed deep respect for Venable's trust despite Montgomery's struggles against left-handed pitching during the regular season. Shortstop Colson Montgomery and catcher Kyle Teel also cited Venable's leadership and steady demeanor as catalysts for the team's confidence.
Venable noted that the club's progress is a partnership with general manager Chris Getz. The White Sox can secure a spot in the American League Championship Series on Wednesday with a victory over the Guardians in Chicago.