(670 The Score) The White Sox on Monday named right-hander Lucas Giolito their Opening Day starter for the third straight season.
Giolito will get the ball when Chicago visits Detroit on Friday afternoon for its regular-season opener. Giolito getting the nod comes as no surprise, especially after news came down Sunday that fellow ace Lance Lynn will need knee surgery and miss at least the first two months of the season.
“It feels really good,” Giolito told reporters of getting the Opening Day start. “It’s kind of under tough circumstances with Lance, but I’d say I feel ready, prepared. I’m excited for the opportunity once again, and it’s one of those things I’ll never, ever taken for granted. I’m one of 30 guys around the league. It feels good.”
Giolito posted a 3.53 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in 31 starts last season. He took a no-decision while starting Opening Day for the White Sox in 2021, going 5 1/3 innings and allowing two runs in his team’s eventual loss to the Angels.
Right-hander Dylan Cease is scheduled to start the White Sox's second game, while right-hander Michael Kopech is lined up to pitch the third.