La Russa returns to postseason with White Sox as they take on the Astros

HOUSTON » A three-time World Series winner, Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa certainly couldn’t be nervous as his team prepares for the opener of a best-of-five AL Division Series against the Houston Astros on Thursday.

Except he is — and it has nothing to do with the Hall of Famer being out of the dugout for almost a decade before the White Sox hired him prior to this season.

“I’ve been nervous my whole career,” La Russa said Wednesday. “Right now, I’m nervous because I care . ... If you’re not nervous, then do something else for a living.”

The 77-year-old La Russa returns to the postseason for the first time since winning the 2011 World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals before retiring. He’ll send Lance Lynn to the mound in Game 1 to face Houston right-hander Lance McCullers Jr.

Lynn had a splendid year in his first season with Chicago, going 11-6 with a career-low 2.69 ERA in 28 starts. McCullers also had a career year, setting personal marks in wins (13), ERA (3.16) and strikeouts (185).

“I feel like what I bring to the table, I have the ability to pitch with anyone,” McCullers said. “I’m excited to just get out there and give my best effort for the guys.”

It’s the second time these teams have met in the postseason. The White Sox swept the Astros in the 2005 World Series when Houston was still a member of the National League.

Lucas Giolito is set to start for the AL Central champion White Sox against lefthander Framber Valdez on Friday in Game 2.

And in the dugout, La Russa will face an old foe in Houston manager Dusty Baker, a fellow septuagenarian who’s still chasing that elusive first title.

“You know how I really feel inside,” the 72-year-old Baker said.

“I need it, and I got to have it.”

The AL West champion Astros are playoff tested in their fifth consecutive postseason trip. They’re looking to advance to the World Series for the second time in three years.

They’ve been to the AL Championship Series four straight years and came a win shy of reaching last year’s World Series before being eliminated by Tampa Bay in seven games.

Houston slugged its way into the playoffs by leading the majors with a .276 batting average, .339 OBP, 863 runs and 1,496 hits.