There was no suspense in Rick Renteria naming right-hander Lucas Giolito to start the season opener Friday against the Twins, but the White Sox manager did add some flavor to making it official Sunday before the Sox played the Cubs in a preseason game at Wrigley Field.
Renteria held up a Giolito bobblehead on his Zoom call with media.
“I don’t know, without me saying anything I’ll kind of let you guys figure it out,” Renteria said.
Renteria didn’t reveal how the rotation will line up after Giolito but left-hander Dallas Keuchel will face the Twins in the second game.
Jose Berrios will start for the Twins at Guaranteed Rate Field in the first game of a 60-game season.
Giolito, before Renteria made it official, said he was “absolutely” ready for the season to begin.
“I think there’s excitement on our team, across the league,” he said. “This season, despite the fact we’re starting so late, it’s really creeping up on us here. ‘Summer Camp’ feels like it just blew by, and now we’re ready to go. I feel like our team’s very prepared to begin the season strong.”
Giolito (14-9, 3.41) was the obvious choice and has been lined up since the start of camp to pitch the opener. In a remarkable turnaround, he became one of the top pitchers in the American League last season after being one of the worst in 2018. He made the AL All-Star team, ranking among the leaders in strikeouts (228), WHIP (1.06) and complete games (three), including two shutouts in 2019.
Robert wants to spread joy
Luis Robert, on talk that he’s the next great thing: “I try to not pay attention to that,” he said Sunday through a translator. “I know people are talking about comparisons, comparing me to different players. I know Eloy already told the media that I was to be the next Mike Trout. I feel good about that but I really don’t try to think much about that. I’m going to do what I know I can do and keep my focus on the game. But definitely, it’s an honor to be compared with those great players.”
Robert, who hit two tape measure homers in an intrasquad Saturday, knows he’ll be tested with breaking pitches out of the strike zone.
“If it’s not in the strike zone, I’m just going to take it,” he said. “That’s going to be my approach. There’s nothing else I need to do.”
Robert also said his top goal is to help the Sox win a World Series, and that he wants to “bring joy to the fans.”
“I am going to try to do whatever I can to bring that happiness to them, and that joy and to help this team,” he said.
This and that
Right fielder Nomar Mazara was “a little bit under the weather” and was not in the lineup against the Cubs. Adam Engel started in right field.
*Renteria remained optimistic that Yoan Moncada would play in one or both of the preseason games at Guaranteed Rate Field this week. The Sox host the Cubs Monday and the Brewers Wednesday.
