'We all feed off of each other': White Sox are receiving contributions across their bullpen

LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune on Jul 21, 2025

Published in Baseball

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TAMPA, Fla. — The Chicago White Sox called on Tyler Gilbert after the Pittsburgh Pirates knocked starter Adrian Houser out of Saturday’s game with one out in the fifth inning.

The Pittsburgh Pirates had a two-run lead and a runner on second.

Gilbert struck out Oneil Cruz. He then intentionally walked Ke’Bryan Hayes to face Spencer Horwitz, who grounded out to second baseman Chase Meidroth.

Gilbert stabilized the situation. And the offense took off in the sixth, scoring six runs in an eventual 10-4 victory at PNC Park.

Gilbert was one of five relievers the Sox used in the win. They surrendered a combined three hits while striking out four in 4 2/3 scoreless innings.

“Those guys picked me up huge,” Houser said after the game. “Big tip of the cap to them for picking me up and basically shutting it down right there where it was at. The offense came through and got the big lead and the bullpen just cruised, so it was great to see.”

The bullpen has settled in as of late. The group’s 2.75 ERA heading into Monday’s series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field is the second-best mark in baseball since June 19. The Miami Marlins own the top spot (2.36) during that stretch.

The Sox still have the fewest saves in the majors (12). But the overall strides from the relievers over the last month are notable.

Assistant pitching coach Matt Wise has watched the group grow.

“It’s kind of been the same group for a longer chunk of time,” Wise said Sunday in Pittsburgh. “Most bullpens in the big leagues, it takes from opening day to the beginning of May to where, ‘OK, this is our setup guy, this is our closer.’ We’ve floated a little bit with some other, new names. But those guys, they’ve all been really consistent, hard-working dudes.”

The Sox have relied on a mix of youth — like Grant Taylor, Mike Vasil and Brandon Eisert — and experience — like Tyler Alexander, Steven Wilson and Dan Altavilla.

“It’s been great,” Vasil told the Chicago Tribune on Monday. “The guys as a whole, we always talk about the process-oriented stuff. So whether it’s first-pitch strike, race to two strikes — getting two out of three — everyone’s doing a really good job of that. We all feed off of each other and keep a good environment and light and when it’s time to compete we all support each other.”

Taylor has 22 strikeouts and three saves in 14 outings since being called up from Double-A Birmingham on June 10. He’s thrown 31 pitches over 100 mph.

“The stuff is off the charts and his heartbeat is really, really slow, which I don’t think you can teach that,” Wise said. “He’s been in big situations probably since he was 14 years old. Some guys freak out, they can’t process any information as they are getting ready for a game. He does a good job of taking information, and the stuff is obviously as good as anybody.”

Vasil has been effective as a starter and reliever after being claimed off waivers during spring training. He is 1-1 with a 1.29 ERA in his last five appearances.

“He’s doing a hell of a job when he’s in there,” Wise said.

Fellow right-hander Jordan Leasure has a 3.60 ERA in his last 15 relief appearances. Altavilla, another righty, has allowed one run in his last nine outings (10 innings).

Alexander, Gilbert and Eisert have been the left-handed options.

Alexander has a 2.49 ERA since signing a one-year deal with the Sox on June 8.

“He’s been great,” Wise said. “He’s been there, done it and when he comes in, we know what we’re going to get. That makes (manager Will Venable’s) job a lot easier when he comes in because you know what you’re going to get.”

Eisert, who has a 3.20 ERA over his last 20 relief outings, said the mindset of every member in the bullpen is, “Just always be ready.”

“It can be anyone at any time, we all understand that,” Eisert told the Tribune on Monday. “We’re making sure we’re loose. It’s been good. Just have to stay focused throughout the whole game and pulling for each other.”

Venable said that connection has been crucial.

“You’ve got guys who genuinely like each other and get along and are supporting each other and rooting for each other,” Venable said on Monday. “As we mix and match at the end of games and are asking different guys to pitch in different situations, that really lends to a collective spirit of going out there and getting the job done and getting outs no matter what the situation, no matter who it is.

“For me, that’s what it’s been. And to have Wise leading that group, he does a tremendous job and is ultimately responsible for that bullpen culture. And he’s been doing an outstanding job.”

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