Sean

Burke

Burke blanked the Guardians over the first three innings, but after a base hit by Steven Kwan, José Ramírez was able to almost literally golf out a two-run homer near his feet to give Cleveland the 2-0 cushion. It’s a disappointing end — even if it’s mostly not his fault — to a breakout season for the White Sox, and Burke was a large part of that with a 3.34 ERA and 185 strikeouts as a 26-year-old in 2026. He’ll pitch near the top of the Chicago rotation to open 2027, assuming unforeseeable changes.

Burke was available in the pen Thursday, but he wasn’t used. That meant the only question for Saturday was whether he’d start or again work as a bulk reliever. He did the latter in the Game 2 victory, coming in during the third inning and allowing one run over 5 1/3 innings.

Burke took over after Anthony Kay and Sean Newcomb allowed two runs and recorded seven outs to open the contest and didn’t allow a hit until Chase DeLauter singled with two outs in the eighth inning. The 26-year-old righty, who was arguably Chicago’s best starter during the regular season, has allowed four runs with a 14/1 K/BB ratio across 9 1/3 innings of work in a pair of postseason outings.

Venable also noted that Sean Burke will work behind Kay in a bulk role. Kay threw 22 pitches over 1 1/3 innings out of the bullpen in Game 1, so he shouldn’t be expected to work more than an inning or two before giving way to Burke on Monday.

Venable declined to name a Game 2 starter, but went out of his way to state that Burke will play a large role. The 26-year-old struck out eight and allowed three solo homers over four innings in his playoff debut against the Astros earlier this week. It’s possible Chicago decides to throw out an opener ahead of Burke, but he’s going to play a large role in their Game 2 showdown on Monday.

Burke was staked to a four-run lead before taking the mound and didn’t let it slip away, despite allowing three solo homers across his four innings of work. Chicago’s bullpen took things the rest of the way as Huascar Brazobán, Anthony Kay, Jordan Hicks and Erick Fedde combined to throw five shutout frames. Burke figures to get the ball for Game 2 of the AL Division Series against the Guardians on Monday.

Burke was easily the White Sox’s most valuable starter this year, going 11-7 with a 3.34 ERA. He allowed three runs — two earned — over 16 1/3 innings in his final three regular-season appearances, which included two starts and one bulk outing.

Burke was taken deep by TJ Rumfield in the top of the second inning to cut the White Sox’s lead to 2-1, but he would settle in after that to turn in a solid outing, allowing just three runners to reach base until the sixth inning, when he would be pulled after giving up a one-out double to Hunter Goodman. Burke ends the regular season with an 11-7 record and a 3.34 ERA. Burke has pitched well as the White Sox prepare for the postseason, allowing just three earned runs over his last 16 1/3 innings of work while striking out 16 batters.

Back starting today after working behind an opener Monday, Burke had another successful outing, even though his velocity was down; he averaged 95.8 mph with his fastball last time out and was at 94.9 mph for the season, but he came in at just 93.7 mph today. It’s a bit concerning, but given that he faces the Rockies at home next week, he still looks like a nice play in mixed leagues.

Burke delivered for Chicago in one of their most important games of the season, working into the late innings as a bulk reliever after Sean Newcomb worked a scoreless opening frame. He struck out four and only issued two walks. It was a much-needed bounce-back effort after getting tagged for seven runs over 1 1/3 innings by the Pirates his last time out. He’ll get the ball against the division-rival Tigers on Saturday.