White Sox: James Shields Set to Start Home Opener Against Detroit
White Sox will start veteran pitcher in Thursday’s home opener at Guaranteed Rate Field against the Detroit Tigers.
After a 3-2 five game road trip to begin the season, the Chicago White Sox will begin a six game homestand on Thursday. The Sox will play their home opener at Guaranteed Rate Field against the Detroit Tigers.
James Shields, who started on Opening Day on Mar. 29, will start in the Sox home opener on Thursday afternoon. Shields had a solid outing in his first start of the season as he pitched five scoreless innings against the Kansas City Royals after giving up four runs in the first inning. The veteran right-hander will be looking for his second win of this season.
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The Sox enter their home opener with an offense that is leading the majors in team home runs with 14. In their last series against the Toronto Blue Jays, the Sox hit seven solo home runs. Although the Sox only won one game in their three-game series against Toronto, the team will enter Thursday tied with the Minnesota Twins for first place in the American League Central division.
As the Sox are at the top of division currently, the Tigers enter Thursday with a 1-4 record and in last place. The Tigers are in the midst of their own rebuild but they’re struggling to start the season. Detroit could have been 2-3 but a controversial overturn of an original safe call last Friday via replay, took a win away from the Tigers against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Tigers will start Jordan Zimmerman on Thursday against the Sox. Last season, Zimmerman went 2-1 with a 6.19 ERA against the Sox in three starts. Zimmerman gave up four home runs to the Sox in those three starts in 2017. Much like Shields, Zimmerman had a decent Opening Day as he pitched six innings for the Tigers while allowing just four earned runs.
On Saturday, the Sox will start Lucas Giolito in the second game of this series. Giolito could have started the home opener on Thursday, but with last Sunday’s game being postponed, each starting pitcher had their respective outings pushed back a day. With Giolito starting on Saturday, the Tigers will send Michael Fulmer to the mound.
Next: White Sox Tied for MLB Lead in Team Home Runs
Detroit hasn’t announced a starter for the series finale on Sunday. The Sox will start Reynaldo Lopez as he looks to get his first win of the season. The Sox will finish their six game homestand with a three game series against the Tampa Rays starting on Monday.