One of the many strengths of the Chicago White Sox roster is its pitching staff. With studs like Lucas Giolito, Lance Lynn, Dylan Cease, and Michael Kopech getting ready to go this season, it is very promising. It also makes naming the Opening Day starter rather difficult.
However, Tony La Russa knows who he is going to name as the Opening Day starter but he isn’t going to announce it yet. He told the media on Monday that he knows but isn’t ready to tell people yet for whatever reason. A few teams around MLB have already announced it.
There is just over a week to go before the season begins so he is going t have to announce it too. You can assume that it will be one of Lucas Giolito or Lance Lynn as they are the two that deserve it the most. Carlos Rodon is gone otherwise he’d be in the mix as well.
Lance Lynn was the game-one starter for the White Sox in the postseason last year. It didn’t go well for any pitcher, however, as the Houston Astros were just the better team in every way. Now, they have to look at this year in an entirely different light.
La Russa admittedly ‘danced’ around opening day starter question. Knows who, not announcing just yet. Lynn or Giolito.
— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) March 28, 2022
Tony La Russa will eventually name the Chicago White Sox Opening Day starter.
The best option is probably Lucas Giolito. He was the Opening Day starter in 2020 and 2021 so it just makes sense to run with him again. Lynn, Cease, and Kopech are all capable of having just as good of a year as Giolito but he is the most proven in a White Sox uniform (Lynn was also this good with the Texas Rangers).
It is interesting to wonder why Tony won’t announce it but it is his way of doing things and that is his right. Whoever it is will pitch in the bottom of the first inning against the Detroit Tigers as the Sox start the season on the road.
The hope is that the pitching staff is as good as it was in 2021 because the offense is going to be better just by a virtue of health (we hope). All of these guys could be aces on this team if they pitch at their best so the order doesn’t really matter. However, it will be fun whenever Tony does make that announcement.