Dylan Cease to start Game 3 of ALDS for White Sox

CHICAGO — Facing elimination, the Chicago White Sox named Dylan Cease the starter for Game 3 of the American League Division Series against the Houston Astros.

The Astros have a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series. Game 3 is Sunday night at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Cease went 13-7 with a 3.91 ERA in 32 starts this season. He ranked third in the AL with 226 strikeouts and was ninth in the league in ERA.

“Looking forward to starting him,” Sox manager Tony La Russa said Saturday at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Cease went 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA in two starts against the Astros during the regular season. He allowed 10 runs, nine earned, on 10 hits with 14 strikeouts and four walks in nine innings.

He allowed six earned runs on four hits with four strikeouts and two walks in 3 1/3 innings against thee Astros on June 17 at Minute Maid Park. He allowed three runs on six hits with 5 2/3 innings on July 16 at Guaranteed Rate Field.

La Russa said Carlos Rodón’s health was a factor in the decision.

Rodón went 13-5 with a 2.37 ERA and 185 strikeouts in 24 starts. He allowed one hit in five shutout innings in his final start of the regular season Sept. 29 against the Cincinnati Reds.

That was his first outing since lasting only three innings and throwing 69 pitches Sept. 20 against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. He exited that game with what he called “normal soreness.”

Should the Sox win on Sunday, La Russa said the team has some optimism about Rodón possibly pitching in Game 4.