FanGraphs Weekly Mailbag: October 10, 2026

Just a few weeks in the past, I led the mailbag with some fast ideas on the thrilling AL Central race between the White Sox and the Guardians. After I wrote that introduction, Cleveland had simply gained two of its remaining three regular-season video games towards Chicago, and the 2 groups had been tied atop the division.

Neither membership was all that good, however every was intriguing in its personal means. The White Sox, in fact, had the worst playoff odds of any group within the American League on Opening Day and had been coming off three straight 100-loss seasons. The Guardians, in the meantime, had been postseason regulars, and this yr, that they had trailed Chicago within the standings for many of the summer time earlier than mounting a September comeback. Cleveland maintained its division lead for the remainder of the season, however solely barely. The Guards completed 85-77; the Sox, 84-78. Their head-to-head data had been additionally separated by only one recreation, with Chicago holding the benefit there. Now, as the 2 groups enter tonight’s ALDS Sport 5 in Cleveland, the margin between them stays as skinny as garlic slices in a mafia film. Each golf equipment nonetheless aren’t precisely enjoying crisp baseball — the collection has featured bewildering bullpen selections, befuddling ABS challenges, and extra hit-by-pitches (six) than dwelling runs (4) — however they’ve been a ton of enjoyable to observe.

On this week’s mailbag, we’re answering your questions on the worst regular-season gamers to begin repeatedly for a playoff group, the very best beginning pitcher matchups in a postseason Sport 3, and holy WAR. However first, I’d wish to remind you that this mailbag is unique to FanGraphs Members. For those who aren’t but a Member and want to hold studying, you may join a Membership right here. It’s one of the best ways to each expertise the location and assist our employees, and it comes with a bunch of different nice advantages. Additionally, in the event you’d wish to ask a query for an upcoming mailbag, ship me an electronic mail at mailbag@fangraphs.com.