Saturday Review: Lucas Giolito’s Confidence Growing With White Sox

HOUSTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 19: Lucas Giolito
HOUSTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 19: Lucas Giolito /
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White Sox right-handed starting pitcher will make his first start of the season on  Saturday against Kansas City in the team’s second game of opening series.

The Chicago White Sox will start Lucas Giolito in their game against the Kansas City Royals on Saturday night. After the team’s impressive Opening Day win on Thursday, Giolito will look to get the Sox another victory over a division rival.

Giolito is coming off a strong spring training and is the Sox no. 2 starter to begin the season. The 23-year-old was solid over seven starts to end last season and is beginning to mature into the starting pitcher the Sox envisioned when they acquired him in December of 2016.

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White Sox hope confident Lucas Giolito will prove ‘stalwart’ in rotation-Chicago Tribune

When Giolito entered Sox camp last year, pitching coach Don Cooper mentioned he saw a pitcher that was tying himself up mentally according to Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune. Now, entering his first full major league season, Giolito has the opportunity to become what the Sox envisioned him to be, a stalwart in their rotation.

Davidson, Engel, Delmonico trying to stake a claim with White Sox-Chicago Sun-Times

Many Sox fans are eagerly anticipating the arrivals of top prospects Luis Robert, Eloy Jimenez, and Michael Kopech. However, there are a few players that are already on the team, that have been able to get better through competition this spring training. According to Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times, competition didn’t hurt players such as Adam Engel.

Engel, who was battling for the starting center field spot this spring training, was able to beat out Ryan Cordell. Other players that are looking to stake a claim with the Sox according to Van Schouwen include Matt Davidson and Nicky Delmonico. Each player is looking to be included in the Sox future plans.

Next: Reflecting on The Home Runs of Opening Day

On both sides of town, there’s a lot of action at shortstop-The Athletic (Subscription required)

Tim Anderson wants to show he’s a complete ballplayer according to Jon Greenberg of The Athletic. According to Greenberg, Anderson is looking to work on pitch selection at the plate and making routine plays at shortstop. Anderson led the majors with 28 errors last season and only had 13 walks.