Lance Lynn is a leading candidate to be the Chicago White Sox Opening Day starter. During his first appearance of the spring, he did not look like one. The big right-hander allowed five hits in 2.2 innings against the Texas Rangers. Three of those hits left the ballpark for home runs.
However, he did manage to strike out four Rangers before he was pulled in the third inning. For Lance Lynn, spring training does not mean much other than a time to shake off the rust. His results in Glendale have no bearing on his place with the team. However, the same cannot be said for every White Sox pitcher who followed him.
Lynn’s three runs surrendered opened the flood gates for a brutal 14-5 loss. Garvin Alston, a 25-year old, retired the only batter he faced before making way to Craig Kimbrel in the fourth inning.
Kimbrel looked like he was in mid-season form, allowing five runs on two hits. He also handed out two free passes as his control seemed to allude him. Usually, a veteran like Kimbrel’s performance in spring training does not matter.
The Chicago White Sox didn’t get the best out of their pitchers on Wednesday.
The spring is a time for players like Kimbrel to fix some mechanics, try new stuff, and shake off the rust. However, the White Sox are actively trying to trade Kimbrel and he once again did not look sharp. Had he not performed so poorly at the end of last season, not as many eyebrows would be raised.
The next three White Sox relievers did their job. Roster invitee filler Trey Jones had to finish the inning for Kimbrel. The next man up was Liam Hendriks who had no issues working around a leadoff single to retire the side.
Garrett Crochet was the bright spot of the day for the White Sox pitching staff. The hard-throwing left-hander worked a scoreless inning and struck out two. It was a positive sign for a player who figures to play a key role in the bullpen.
The White Sox final two pitchers of the day are both jockeying for a roster spot. Neither did anything to impress. Matt Foster, who struggled at the big league level last season, surrendered two runs, both earned courtesy of a two-runner homer off the second batter he faced.
Brandon Finnegan closed out the day by immediately sandwiching a walk between a pair of doubles. After a mound visit, he was able to record the first out of the frame but things went off the rails soon after.
Blaine Crim slapped an RBI single, Zach Reks got hit by a pitch, and Charlie Culberson added to the run parade with another RBI double. The bleeding was mercifully ended after Finnegan got Yohel Pozo to fly out to end the inning. Finnegan’s final line included four hits, four earned runs, and one walk.
It was not a banner day for White Sox pitching by any means.