(670 The Score) Starting pitching remains the most coveted asset in baseball. In the first week of the season, that has been a shining star for the White Sox.
Chicago's starters have a 2.79 ERA through five games, and four of the outings have ranged from solid to superb. Left-hander Carlos Rodon is 1-1 with a 1.59 ERA and 0.62 WHIP in two starts, including an impressive six-inning outing in a win at Cleveland on Wednesday in which he gave up just one run, none earned, with with strikeouts and one walk.
Perhaps the most surprising start came from right-hander Lucas Giolito, who took a no-hitter into the seventh inning against the Royals on Sunday. The performance came after Giolito posted a 6.13 ERA in 2018, far and away the worst mark among qualifying pitchers.
Giolito struck out eight and walked one in his first start. So what changed for him?
"Lucas came into spring training with a slight mechanical adjustment shorting his arm swing," general manager Rick Hahn said on Inside the Clubhouse recently. "He seems to have taken to that very well. The ball out of his hand and the movement on his off-speed pitches have improved as well. He seems to be poised to take that next step."
Giolito has also produced a velocity increase, with his fastball often sitting at 94-95 miles per hour in his first start.
The lone starter to struggle early was right-hander Reynaldo Lopez, who allowed four earned runs in four innings in his initial start. He had a 3.91 ERA in 188 2/3 innings in 2018, showing he could consistently take the ball and go deep into games.
On the back end of the rotation, the White Sox are looking for stability from veterans Ivan Nova and Ervin Santana. Nova threw seven innings of one-run ball Monday, when he took a no-decision in the team's 5-3 loss.
Santana is finishing up his rehab from a finger injury that limited him to five starts in 2018. He's expected to pitch next Wednesday.
Of course, the back end of the rotation could have a different look by midseason, as pitching prospect Dylan Cease is looming in Triple-A after being named the Minor League Pitcher of the Year by MLB Pipeline in 2018.
"One of the most important parts of this rebuild will be the path our rotation takes," Hahn said. "When we unpack it all at the end of the season, we will see if the young starters have taken that important step forward. Ideally, we get contributions from everybody in all phases."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
