Miguel

Vargas

Vargas tagged Guardians’ closer Cade Smith for a 386-foot solo shot to lead off the ninth inning, but all that did was pull the White Sox to within four runs at 9-5. Vargas also walked and stole a base during a two-run rally in the third inning, then walked and scored on a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning. The ninth-inning blast was Vargas’ first home run — and first RBI — of the postseason.

With left-hander Parker Messick taking the ball for the Guardians, Antonacci will begin this one on the bench for the White Sox. Fellow left-handed hitters Andrew Benintendi and Tristan Peters will also take a seat for the Southsiders. Here’s how Will Venable’s club will line up as they look to punch their ticket to the ALCS on Thursday: Chase Meidroth (2B), Randal Grichuk (LF), Miguel Vargas (3B), Munetaka Murakami (1B), Tommy Pham (DH), Brenton Doyle (CF), Kyle Teel (C), Braden Montgomery (RF) and Colson Montgomery (SS).

Vargas had the best opportunity to put Chicago back in front, and punch their ticket to an improbable ALCS appearance, when he lined out to Cleveland’s franchise cornerstone José Ramírez with the bases loaded to end the sixth inning. The White Sox still have an opportunity to close out the best-of-five series during a Game 4 showdown at home on Thursday evening.

The White Sox are already locked into their postseason position, so with nothing to play for on Sunday, manager Will Venable will get his third baseman a breather. The 26-year-old has had an outstanding season at the plate, slashing .250/.363/.474 with 33 homers, 93 RBI, 106 runs scored and 22 stolen bases in a league-leading 704 plate appearances. Colson Montgomery will slide over and cover third base while Luisangel Acuna starts at shortstop and bats eighth against Rockies’ left-hander Kyle Freeland.

Vargas walked and stole second base before coming around to score on teammate Munetaka Murakami’s RBI single in the opening frame. He also provided a pivotal insurance run when he took Jackson Jobe deep in the sixth. The 26-year-old former top prospect’s impressive breakthrough campaign sees him join Pete Crow-Armstrong, James Wood and CJ Abrams as the fourth member of the 30-homer, 20-steal club this season.

Vargas capped off a six-run uprising in the opening inning with an RBI double off the wall in left field. He then added a 403-foot (101.7-mph EV) two-run blast off of Beau Brieske in the third inning that proved to be the extent of the White Sox’ scoring in the ballgame. He’s having a very strong season at the dish for fantasy managers, slashing .249/.357/.477 with 32 homers, 87 RBI, 99 runs scored and 19 stolen bases.

Vargas put the finishing touches on an unexpected six-run outburst by taking Cleveland reliever Daniel Espino deep in the sixth inning. It was his 31st round-tripper of the year. He also picked up his 19th stolen base of the year as Chicago extended their AL Central division lead to 1.5 games with the victory. The 26-year-old former top prospect has emerged as a certifiable fantasy force this season, hitting .249/.357/.475 with 98 runs scored, 31 homers, 81 RBI and 19 steals across 653 plate appearances.

Vargas drew a leadoff walk in the fourth inning, swiped second base and took third on a throwing error, but the White Sox couldn’t cash him in from there. The 26-year-old is having an outstanding season at the dish, slashing .248/.359/.477 with 30 homers, 79 RBI and 17 stolen bases — career highs across the board.

It’s an extremely rare off day for Vargas with Colson Montgomery taking over at the hot corner and Chase Meidroth at shortstop. The 26-year-old is in the middle of a career year at the dish, slashing .250/.361/.482 with 95 runs scored, 30 home runs, 79 RBI and 16 steals in 627 plate appearances over 142 games.

Vargas singled off of Hunter Brown with two outs in the opening inning and swiped second base to get himself in scoring position, but the White Sox couldn’t cash him in. He then singled to start the third inning, advanced to second on a walk and swiped third but was left stranded there. He’s having a strong all-around season for fantasy purposes, slashing .251/.363/.484 with 29 homers, 76 RBI and 15 stolen bases in 609 plate appearances.