Chicago White Sox: Lance Lynn is even better than we thought

The Chicago White Sox took a major risk when they traded Dane Dunning to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Lance Lynn. Dunning is the young pitcher who could be a part of the future but Lynn is a Cy Young level pitcher that can help you win now.

He also has lots of experience in Major League Baseball as he is a former All-Star and World Series champion. He has been everything the White Sox needs and more so far during this 2021 season. They knew they needed a number three guy behind Lucas Giolito and Dallas Keuchel but you can argue he has been even better. Add in Carlos Rodon and Dylan Cease and you have a World Series level staff.

The Chicago White Sox love what they are getting from Lance Lynn so far.

Lance Lynn is making a case for himself in the Cy Young conversation so far this season. His start against the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday night is something that he called his favorite start of his MLB career so far in the regular season. That is the team that he won the World Series with and it had to feel good to beat them. He went seven innings where he only allowed three hits, one run, and three walks while striking out four. It was as dominant of a win that he is going to have this season.

Lynn is now 4-0 with a 1.93 ERA with 23 strikeouts and a .149 opponent average over his last five starts. He has also been dominant at Guaranteed Rate Field so far this season as he is 4-1 with a 1.69 ERA in five starts. If this level of play is able to keep up, it is just another valuable starter they have going in the rotation.

What is it that makes Lynn so successful? For one, it is his attitude. He goes out there and wants to pitch at the top of his game every time. He wants to be on the mound for as long as he can as well which makes him a valuable asset to the staff. You know that he is going to eat innings at a high level every time he is out there. The White Sox nailed it in the tweet with “Mr. Reliable”. An attitude like this can rub off on others as well.

This video of Lynn pitching is unbelievable. He uses his three different fastballs (four-seam, cutter, sinker) and they all go in a different direction. They also all look the same until they are right in front of the plate. It makes it so hard for a pitcher to pick up where the ball is going. Having this level of movement on certain pitches is impressive and effective for him.

The White Sox will win a lot of games that Lynn starts if this is the way he pitches all season long. The fact that he went 7.0 innings only giving up one run paved the way for Michael Kopech to come in and shut the door in the final two innings. It is as good of a pitching performance as the team can get from two elite arms.