Chicago White Sox: Michael Kopech is big story from doubleheader
On the first pitch of Sunday’s doubleheader between the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox, Tim Andersson sent it a long way and the White Sox were winning 1-0 before the game even really started. From that point forward, it felt like it was going to be a good game. The White Sox ended up hanging on for a 3-2 victory and it was a great start. There was, however, a looming question going into the second game of the day.
The White Sox knew that Dallas Keuchel was going to be the guy in game number one. He was right on schedule but the second game was unknown. The White Sox could have gone with Lucas Giolito because he had the normal amount of rest. A rain delay on Friday pushed some people back and put the doubleheader on Sunday. The White Sox opted to push back Giolito (and everyone after him) into this week.
It wasn’t until about an hour before the first pitch that the White Sox announced that Michael Kopech was going to be the starting pitcher. It was his first start since his first MLB call-up in 2018. He left that season with Tommy John’s surgery and missed all of 2019 because of it. He later opted out of the COVID-19 2020 season. It was a long road back but here we are.
Kopech has been coming out of the bullpen so far to start the season. The team wants to make sure that he is eased back into things. This seven-inning second half of a doubleheader was the perfect way to get him his first start. He has been brilliant coming out of the bullpen so it should surprise nobody that he was just as brilliant in this game as a starter.
Michael Kopech is on an incredible run right now for the Chicago White Sox.
Kopech went three innings, gave up one run, one hit, and one walk. He also struck out four batters to get through the ballgame unscathed. A three-inning start in a seven-inning game was so perfect for his situation. The White Sox should be very happy that this was the way things shook out for him in this one.
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The offense gave him exactly what they needed. It was a perfect way to sweep the doubleheader and get back to .500. The White Sox have been sloppy at times so far this season and they are still .500 and lead the division in run differential. They are going to be so good as long as they keep doing what they are doing.