(670 The Score) In what was a mere formality, the White Sox on Monday named ace Lucas Giolito their Opening Day starter.
Giolito will take the mound when the White Sox visit the Los Angeles Angels on April 1 for their season opener. It will mark Giolito's second start on Opening Day, as he did it for the first time in the pandemic-altered 2020 season. In that outing, Giolito was hit hard, going 3 2/3 innings and allowing seven runs in a loss to the Twins.
"I feel I earned this spot over the last couple of years. I think I am proving I am one of the top starters in this league. I know I can be more consistent than I've been. The goal is to always keep improving. You can never get complacent."
Giolito had a 3.48 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 12 starts in 2020. He was an All-Star in 2019, when he had a 3.41 ERA in 29 starts.
"My big focus this spring has been on honing in on the slider and my command, throwing it in counts I would normally go to another pitch," Giolito said. "Pitch focus and keeping the walks down to a minimum, putting guys away quicker then not let at-bats get stretched out. I am very pleased how it's been going."
