What happened: The Chicago White Sox will deploy Hagen Smith to open Game 4. The club faces a critical transition into the middle innings once the left-hander completes his stint on the mound.

Why it matters: Chicago has utilized the 23-year-old in short bursts throughout the playoffs, making the subsequent relief strategy a pivotal phase of the contest. Managing these pitching changes will dictate the team's ability to control the later innings.

What to watch: The immediate bullpen substitutions following Smith's departure will establish the pitching rhythm for the remainder of the matchup.