This pitcher might be the perfect number five for the White Sox

Let’s face it. Saturday’s game may have been the best of the year so far for the Chicago White Sox. They were clicking on all cylinders. Their offense finally got going and that was important. Their defense was doing well and the pitching was outstanding.

One of the pitchers that was on point in the game was Vince Velasquez. He was the winning pitcher and really showed some good stuff. When you look at the numbers, you understand why his outing was special.

Velasquez pitched 5.2 innings allowing four hits, no runs, and an ERA of 0.00. He struck out six total batters. Of 86 pitches, he threw 60 strikes. Velasquez’s start was only curtailed and ended by a rainstorm as he prepared to finish up Los Angeles Angels’ batter Mike Trout.

That kind of play as a pitcher is going to win you games and it did. Velasquez has been “auditioning” for the fifth starting spot in the Which Sox rotation. Right now, the rotation consists of Velasquez, Lucas Giolito, Dylan Cease, Dallas Keuchel, and Michael Kopech. Lance Lynn will be back from injury soon.

Jimmy Lambert was replacing Lucas Giolito in the rotation while he was out but now Giolito is back healthy. When Lynn comes back, it will be interesting to see who gets bumped out of the starting rotation.

Vince Velasquez might deserve to be a Chicago White Sox starter for now.

Saturday’s game was a great showcase game for Velasquez. And now he’s shown what he can offer. Despite the two bad innings he’s given so far this season, he’s throwing very well now and could easily be in contention for that fifth spot in the rotation. Manager Tony LaRussa must consider him for that spot in the Sox rotation.

To be able to shut down one of the top offenses in baseball (LA Angels) was a good feat for Velasquez. With the Angels sporting such strong hitters as Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, and Anthony Rendon, not allowing their bats to take over the game was huge.

Locking them down and not allowing them to beat the Sox gives Velasquez credibility and shows that he’s able to keep up with the big-time talent in this league.

But he cannot have breakdowns like he’s had before. Velasquez must remain consistent to be an effective fifth starter.

He will see another start and if he plays well in that one, he just might be able to stick in the starting pitching rotation for the White Sox.