Chicago White Sox: Lucas Giolito has been just what team needs
The Chicago White Sox are a team that is desperate for quality pitching. They can hit the ball but the pitching is holding them back. Is that almost over?
The Chicago White Sox have gotten less than ideal starting pitching so far this season. With that said, they have still begun with a 16-19 record. That is not a great record but it is a minor miracle because of how bad their pitching has been. It is proof that they are a resilient bunch as well as a team that can hit the ball with some regularity. If they were to get some pitching at a high level just a little bit more, this would be a decent team.
The guy leading the way to that possibility right now is Lucas Giolito. He has been the White Sox best starter in 2019. They placed their defacto ace Carlos Rodon on the IL with fear that he needs to have season-ending Tommy John surgery. Even still, Giolito has been the White Sox best pitcher. He is also one of the longest-tenured pitchers on the team now too.
His stats aren’t immaculate, but it is all a major improvement from a year ago. Nobody is going to expect him to be a Cy Young level pitcher in his prime, but he should be a solid middle of the rotation guy on a great team. There is support on the way in guys like Michael Kopech and Dylan Cease to carry the top of the rotation pressure.
In his first six starts of 2018, he had a 1-4 record with a 7.03 ERA. He had issued 18 strikeouts and 23 walks. His stats in 2019 through six starts are much better. he is 3-1 with a 4.06 ERA. He is up to 38 strikeouts and only 15 walks. That is an incredible improvement over one year ago.
Hot. Blackhawks and Dylan Cozens. light
He has improved by developing his monster changeup. Combining that with great command of his fastball has been a problem for opponents in most of his starts. If he can keep it up the White Sox have their stopper for a while. Hopefully, he allows Kopech and Cease to transition slowly and without pressure to overextend themselves when they return. He might also be able to help in the leadership category as he will be one of the older guys in the lineup to help them.