Apr 11, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox relief pitcher David Robertson (30) delivers a pitch during the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins at U.S Cellular Field. The White Sox won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
The first week of the White Sox 2015 regular season didn’t quite go as planned. After being swept by the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium, they returned to the friendly confines of U.S. Cellular field only to be shut out in their home opener by the lowly Minnesota Twins.
However, Saturday’s victory proved to be a much-needed ray of hope for over-panicky White Sox fans. If all goes well during Chris Sale‘s first start of the regular season Sunday, I wouldn’t be surprised to see all those “Chicken Little” tweets turn into playoff predictions by the end of the day. Here are 5 observations from week one of the regular season.
D-Rob will be worth his weight in gold.
The White Sox signed David Robertson to a 4-year/$46 million contract after their relief corp blew 21 saves in 2014. The first opportunity for Robertson to earn his keep, to convert his first save in a new uniform, couldn’t have been scripted any better as the White Sox clung to a come-from-behind, one run lead entering the top of the ninth inning Saturday.
So it was that a great script called for an even better performance.
Fly balls and ground outs simply wouldn’t do on this occasion, so Robertson proceeded to strike out each of the three batters he faced in order on fifteen pitches. Game over.
The White Sox Twitter feed showcased a brief highlight of D-Rob’s perfect inning:
This is how @DRob30 closes a game. #OneTwoThreeTheyGone pic.twitter.com/Lpyr98tatl
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) April 11, 2015
Get used to that glorious sight White Sox fans, because barring injury, the closer position is locked down. #OneTwoThreeTheyGone
Next: Micah Johnson needs more work with Vince Coleman.