(670 The Score) What separates aces from their pitching peers is performance on the biggest stage.
In his playoff debut, White Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito proved himself as an ace, delivering a dominant outing to lead Chicago to a 4-1 win at Oakland on Tuesday afternoon. With the victory, the White Sox grabbed a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three wild-card round series.
Giolito threw seven-plus innings while allowing just one earned run and three baserunners while striking out eight. He had a perfect game through six innings, becoming just the fifth pitcher in MLB history to do that in a playoff game, according to StatsByStats.
Shortstop Tim Anderson referred to Giolito's form as his "bully stage." What's that like for Giolito?
"It's like when things start to sync up, the brain kind of shuts off and it's just tunnel vision to the glove," Giolito said. "When I hit that state, I just want to ride it out as long as possible."
The story of Giolito has been told many times -- from posting an MLB-worst ERA in 2018 to earning All-Star recognition in 2019 to getting the ball for Opening Day this season to throwing a no-hitter in August. But this was different for Giolito.
The White Sox were playing in their first postseason game since 2008. It was also the playoff debut for the majority of those on their 28-man roster. They needed Giolito to set the tone, and he did just that. Facing an A's lineup loaded with quality hitters, Giolito kept the bases clean into the seventh inning. He kept the bullpen's workload to a minimum.
All the White Sox had to do was score some runs and let Giolito work.
"Lucas is a stud," right fielder Adam Engel said. "He's been doing it all year. He's one of the best in the game. He's a true ace. He's one of the handful of guys out there that I would consider a true ace. He showed it today."
Added Anderson: "I expected that out of him."
The White Sox emerged out of a three-year rebuild to go 35-25 in the shortened season on the strength of a deep and dangerous lineup that poses a threat to any opponent they could face in the postseason. But veteran left-hander Dallas Keuchel, the starter for Game 2 on Wednesday, reminded that pitching and defense are what ultimately make the difference in October.
What Giolito brings the White Sox each time he takes the mound is a presence to neutralize even the most potent lineups. Now, he gets the chance to show it on the big stage.
In the biggest game of his career to date, Giolito pitched like an ace and lifted the White Sox to a win to start the playoffs.
"It's a relief," Giolito said. "A bit of relief getting that first postseason start out of the way. I'm glad it was a good one. But today was all about the team. We came ready to play, both sides of the field. I just wanted to do my job, which I was able to do. We took care of business today. That's that."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.