The Chicago White Sox would love to get back on the field sooner rather than later, but it remains to be seen when that will be.
The Chicago White Sox organization, as well as their fans, would love nothing more than to watch a game in the South Side right now.
Lucas Giolito expected to start his season on March 26, as an Opening Day starter for the first time in his career.
After looking like a potential bust, the right-hander had a strong 2019 season that saw him have a 3.41 ERA, 3.43 FIP, 1.064 WHIP, 11.6 K/9, and 2.9 BB/9 over 29 starts (176 2/3 innings).
That performance made Giolito the de facto ace ahead of the newly-signed Dallas Keuchel and Gio Gonzalez as well as Reynaldo Lopez and Dylan Cease.
However, Giolito’s first Opening Day start has been delayed, and possibly significantly, which he expressed displeasure about as detailed by Lamond Pope of the Chicago Tribune.
"“We were getting prepared for a really great season, and just out of nowhere, not very much warning, it was like, all right, we have to shut it down and everyone is on hold until further notice,” Giolito said.“It sucks,” the right-hander added. “We wish we were out there playing. At the same time, we are in the middle of a crisis and we can’t force the issue. We have to let everything run its course and hopefully we can get this going as soon as possible.”"
Obviously, the 25-year-old understands the need to delay the season (COVID-19) and that the season shouldn’t start until this situation improves.
It has to be tough for this group, though, because it was finally supposed to be a good year for the White Sox after many years of bad ones. The team was set to have some serious expectations in 2020.
That being said, there’s no reason that the Chicago White Sox can’t take advantage of this break to possibly improve and get healthy for the long haul.
"“I was looking forward to a nice full season,” Giolito said. “It’s obviously not looking that way, but we’ll see what we can make happen. I’m feeling very good, very strong, doing my best to maintain where I’m at. Hopefully we get the call soon.”"
Even if this isn’t the year the Chicago White Sox break out, it really isn’t a detrimental for the organization long-term as their core is very young and is set up for contention in years to come.
That is honestly something that most organizations aren’t able to say right now as many teams are stuck figuring out if their window contention is going to close this season and how to make the 2020 season their year.
Lucas Giolito will hopefully get to start a delayed Opening Day sooner rather than later for the Chicago White Sox and that game will be something to be cherished for him, the organization, and the fanbase.