The Chicago White Sox are finally ready to play. It is Opening Day 2021! We finally have a traditional Opening Day for the first time since 2019 as we know what happened last season. The White Sox went 35-25 in the short 2020 season and were one of the best teams in the American League for most of it. They were defeated in the playoffs by the Oakland Athletics which sent them into the offseason with incredible motivation.
Opening Day 2021 is extra exciting for this edition of the Chicago White Sox.
There is no doubt that there is pressure on this White Sox team. They took their loaded 2020 roster and made it even more exciting. They added big-time names like Lance Lynn and Liam Hendriks and a returning face like Adam Eaton which should really help their depth.
An extra element to this team that they have been waiting for since 2018 is Michael Kopech. He is finally back and will begin the year coming out of the bullpen. They will use both him and Garrett Crochet as potential starters getting their feet wet in the pen. It is very exciting to have two flamethrowers with that much talent as a part of a tremendous relief unit.
The first game of the season will come as a 9 pm local start. They are in Anaheim to play the Los Angeles Angels to get the season underway. It is an exciting matchup as the White Sox get to see the likes of Mike Trout amongst other great players.
Lucas Giolito is going to take the ball. It will be his second year having the honor of being the White Sox Opening Day starter. He believes that he is going to have a really good year on a really good team and we have every reason to believe him. It should be interesting to see how he does in game-one after having a very good spring. He will go up against Dylan Bundy of the Angels.
There is one omission that is going to sting. Eloy Jimenez is not going to be there with his mates to get this season going. He is going to be out for a month recovering from a torn pectoral tendon. Adam Engel will also be out because of an injury. Outside of those, the White Sox roster is out and looking good.
Andrew Vaughn might make his MLB debut but it actually sounds like Leury Garcia will play left field while Zack Collins takes the role of DH. You may see him pinch-hit but it might be a better bet to expect his first start to come on Friday night. There is plenty of time ahead so you will see plenty of Andrew Vaughn.
This is a full 162 game year but it would be nice to see the White Sox get off to a hot start. Nothing would be worse than needing to dig out of an early hole. It all starts with their best pitcher on the mound in game one. The offense is going to be very powerful so we have a lot of fun moments coming ahead as White Sox fans. Enjoy the season!