(670 The Score) Shortly after reacting to being named the White Sox's starter for Opening Day, ace Lucas Giolito was asked about right-hander Dylan Cease and what his performance could mean for the team this season.
"He is mechanically much cleaner this spring," Giolito said. "His fastball is riding. better command overall. The breaking balls are more consistent. Even his changeup looks good right now."
Later Monday afternoon, Cease made Giolito look brilliant in his analysis. Cease was sharp against the Cactus League play against the Cubs, breezing through three innings and allowing just one bloop hit. He struck out two and walked none.
The White Sox are hoping that the 25-year-old Cease can fulfill the rave reviews that accompanied him when the Cubs traded him to the other side of town in 2017. New White Sox manager Tony La Russa has been impressed with how Cease has carried himself, and he showcased that Monday.
"I pretty much treat all my games as big games," Cease said. "Being my first one of the spring, I guess there are just a little more nerves. I had a lot of energy going, but yes, I thought of it as a big game.
"That was a good first Cactus League start for me. I threw all my stuff in the zone with no walks. I made them put it in play. So I am happy with that."
Cease had a 4.01 ERA in 12 starts in the shortened 2020 season. He has a 5.00 ERA across his two MLB seasons. This spring, he has been focusing on using more of his pitches and regaining confidence in his stuff after his performance waned amid struggles late last season. In a deciding Game 3 against the Athletics in the wild-card round, the White Sox chose to go with a bullpen game rather than start Cease, who pitched one inning in Game 2.
New White Sox manager Tony La Russa has liked what he has seen from Cease early on.
"What has impressed me is his willingness to work," La Russa said. "Sometimes in between outings, a young man will take a bullpen session off. He is really determined to pitch to his potential."
Cease is competing against Carlos Rodon and Reynaldo Lopez for the White Sox's final two rotation spots. With his performance Monday, he's off to a good start and has the inside track to earning a slot.
"I don't think the spot is earned in one or two games," Cease said. "It's earned by the work you put in the process. I started that in the offseason, so we are now getting close to seeing what the results from that process look like."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
