White Sox: 3 Observations from Opening Day Loss to Kansas City
Carlos Rodon gets no run support
Carlos Rodon didn’t get much run support on Thursday. Pitching into the sixth inning, Rodon could not escape the inning with the Sox deficit at 1-0. Former Cubs player Jorge Soler would hit a single to extend the Royals lead to 2-0.
Frank Schwindel would then reach on a fielding error by Sanchez that should have resulted in a double play but instead extended the Royals lead to 3-0. Rodon would end his first Opening Day start with 5.1 innings pitched, three earned runs allowed, two walks and six strikeouts. Rodon’s inability to last long in a start plagued him again.
His start wasn’t that bad, but it wasn’t ace-like either. If Rodon is ever going to realize his potential as a possible ace, he will need to go deeper into games for the Sox more consistently. Despite the errors made by the Sox, Rodon couldn’t come close to matching the pitching performance from Keller of the Royals.
Next. Not A Good Look for White Sox Management, Front Office. dark
The Sox will conclude their series with Kansas City this weekend. Reynaldo Lopez will start on Saturday and Lucas Giolito will start on Sunday. With a loss on Opening Day, the Sox will need better performances from their offense and starting pitchers to avoid starting the season well below .500.