The Houston Astros cheating scandal didn't start against the White Sox, but a particularly egregious instance of sign-stealing during an otherwise meaningless game against a 95-loss Sox team in September of 2017 is what allowed everybody to sleuth it out for themselves.
If the Astros were so invested in stealing signs during a game with zero implications, then they can't expect the benefit of the doubt in postseason games in October.
Ryan Tepera, who became just the second White Sox pitcher to throw two consecutive scoreless innings during in the ALDS they pushed to a Game 4 with a stirring 12-6 victory at Guaranteed Rate Field Sunday night, introduced said doubt after the game.
"It’s a different game here at our field," Tepera said after the White Sox won their first game of the series after losing two in Houston. "You play at Minute Maid, they’re doing something over there that’s a little different. It showed you how many swings and misses they had tonight compared to at Minute Maid. That’s why you have homefield advantage."
When Tepera was asked if he thought the Astros still were doing something nefarious at home, Tepera didn't say the words "cheating" or "sign-stealing," but instead used the word "sketchy."
"They’ve obviously had a reputation of doing some sketchy stuff over there," the White Sox reliever said. "We can say that it’s a little bit of a difference. I think you saw the swings and misses tonight compared to the first two games at Minute Maid, but that’s not really the story. We come here to play. We’re going to compete. We’re not even going to worry about what they’re going to do. All we have to do is execute pitches and they can’t hit them anyway.”
After Tepera retired all six batters he faced, Aaron Bummer retired all five batters he faced. And then Craig Kimbrel retired the only batter he faced. And then Liam Hendriks threw a perfect ninth to close it out. It had to be a pretty different feeling out there, and the success getting strikes without contact bears that out.
As for whether this is the continuation of any pattern, the Astros actually had a higher strikeout rate at home (19.8 percent) than away (19.1 percent) during the regular season, although their walk rate was quite higher at Minute Maid Field (9.6 to 8.5 percent). The White Sox saw better results across the board except for Dylan Cease, who looked like the other two starters who couldn't find the zone with regularity.
If I had to guess, the Astros aren't doing anything specific. If they were, I imagine Major League Baseball has to have open channels for teams to submit complaints. Back in 2019, Rick Hahn avoided getting into the weeds about the 2017 series, saying, "Anything that involves the leagues and clubs with each other, we try to keep quiet between us. It’s more dignified that way." I don't think he would be so circumspect now.
If the specter of cheating at Minute Maid Field helps Tepera and other White Sox pitchers establish a mindset that Sunday and Monday are their days to dominate -- or if they're avenging Winston-Salem pitching coach Danny Farquhar's honor -- then any edge is welcome. It doesn't hurt to be on guard either. The Astros were so brazen about it before that the White Sox would be ashamed if they were fooled again, and because none of the Astros served punishments for participating in the tub-thumping scheme, shame and suspicion is the only price they've had to pay. The statute of limitations has yet to expire.
(Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/USA TODAY Sports)
