Post by Commissioner Erick on Aug 2, 2020 18:11:44 GMT -5
Chicago White Sox (0-0) @ Kansas City Royals (0-0)
CHW: Carlos Rodon (0-0)
KC: Brent Honeywell (0-0)
It'll be a strange scene in Kansas City when the Chicago White Sox trot out an Opening Day starter who isn't Carlos Martinez.
Chicago will spend the season determining whether it's the end of an era, with their first test coming against the Kansas City Royals on Opening Day.
The PBA's all-time leader in ERA, Chicago's run of greatness started the first season Martinez arrived in Kansas City. Acquired, along with Adam Wainright's salary, for Lucas Giolito, Carson Fulmer, and Zach Burdi, Martinez produced 22 wins, a 1.27 ERA, 256 strikeouts, and 9.3 WAR in 2018, to lead Chicago to a championship. Clayton Kershaw eclipsed the WAR mark in 2019, but the other marks are records to this day.
His opening day presence will certainly be missed as he's excelled in opening games in Kansas City. Chicago has somehow previously opened in Kansas City in four of the past six seasons. In fact, in 2018 Kansas City was where Martinez made his first start with Chicago. It was a masterpiece as he worked 8.2 innings, allowed two runs, walked nobody and whiffed seven in a White Sox win. In 2019, he again started in Kansas City, working 7 shutout innings, fanning six, and earning the win. In 2022 he opened again in Kansas City, tried to pitch through a bad back, and was pulled after one batter. However, last year, he opened again in Kansas City, worked 6 innings, allowed only one earned run and earned the win.
Martinez' performance in those four outings? 3-0, 22 IP, 3 ER, a 1.23 ERA, 23 strikeouts, and only five walks. He allowed 17 ground outs to 31 fly outs, understanding Kaufman Park's dimensions and letting the Royals hit harmless fly balls all game long.
Fortunately for Chicago, while Martinez is first all time in ERA among pitchers with 1000 innings under their belt, Carlos Rodon is number two. Despite starting off his career in excellent fashion, Rodon has improved his entire career, honing his command to grow from an excellent number two to a legitimate ace. Despite tearing his flexor tendon and missing the entire 2021 season, Rodon reemerged as a pitcher better at using sequencing, better at locating his offspeed pitches, and simply being sharper in the mental aspects of the game. Last year, he led the AL in innings, wins, and WAR, proving to Mike Ball that he's ready to anchor the staff.
It will be tough for Kansas City to combat him as the majority of their lineup in left-handed. Their best chance may be via the long ball from newcomer Gary Sanchez. Outside of Batting Average and On-Base Percentage, Sanchez is first or second in every non-speed focused offensive category among Catchers. He's a Hall-of-Fame caliber slugger, and while he's only 2-13 lifetime against Rodon in his career, those two hits were home runs.
If Kansas City can keep it close, they have a few new toys in their bullpen to try out. Jose Torres is one of the best relievers in the game, and an All-Star toiling away in obscurity in San Diego. He was acquired in a trade, and his left-handedness will be important in dealing with Rafael Devers and Andrew Benintendi. Phil Maton is another former Padres All-Star, working as Miami's closer last year and racking up 19 saves with a 2.42 ERA. Finally, Addison Reed joins the club. Reed hasn't been great on the mound during a turbulent half-decade with the Mets, but he's been regarded enough to earn three trips to the World Baseball Classic representing the United States. Scouts love his talent, his intelligence, and his work ethic and believe he'll be a huge asset to Kansas City.
If the Royals can find a way to keep Chicago's offensive stars from going off and can get the game close in the late innings, they should have an opportunity to take an early lead on their division rivals in what should be a brutal AL Central race.
Questions for the GMs:
For Mike Ball, no Yoan Moncada, Tim Anderson, or Alex Bregman anymore. How do you feel about Livan Soto and Ryan Lillard as your starting middle infielders?
Former First Rounder Joe White is mostly known for his speed and defense but looks to be the starting Center Fielder for you. What are you looking for out of him today?
There are a lot of rookies in your bullpen. Why the decision to go with such an inexperienced group?
For Daniel Kent, will you trot out your core lineup today or match up with the lefty Rodon?
What does J.P. Crawford give your team that it didn't have last year?
You have a few lefties in the bullpen for Chicago's primarily left-handed offense. Will you want to see Honeywell facing Devers and Benintendi a third time through the order?
TRIVIA: What team handed Carlos Martinez his only loss in an Opening Day start?
CHW: Carlos Rodon (0-0)
KC: Brent Honeywell (0-0)
It'll be a strange scene in Kansas City when the Chicago White Sox trot out an Opening Day starter who isn't Carlos Martinez.
Chicago will spend the season determining whether it's the end of an era, with their first test coming against the Kansas City Royals on Opening Day.
The PBA's all-time leader in ERA, Chicago's run of greatness started the first season Martinez arrived in Kansas City. Acquired, along with Adam Wainright's salary, for Lucas Giolito, Carson Fulmer, and Zach Burdi, Martinez produced 22 wins, a 1.27 ERA, 256 strikeouts, and 9.3 WAR in 2018, to lead Chicago to a championship. Clayton Kershaw eclipsed the WAR mark in 2019, but the other marks are records to this day.
His opening day presence will certainly be missed as he's excelled in opening games in Kansas City. Chicago has somehow previously opened in Kansas City in four of the past six seasons. In fact, in 2018 Kansas City was where Martinez made his first start with Chicago. It was a masterpiece as he worked 8.2 innings, allowed two runs, walked nobody and whiffed seven in a White Sox win. In 2019, he again started in Kansas City, working 7 shutout innings, fanning six, and earning the win. In 2022 he opened again in Kansas City, tried to pitch through a bad back, and was pulled after one batter. However, last year, he opened again in Kansas City, worked 6 innings, allowed only one earned run and earned the win.
Martinez' performance in those four outings? 3-0, 22 IP, 3 ER, a 1.23 ERA, 23 strikeouts, and only five walks. He allowed 17 ground outs to 31 fly outs, understanding Kaufman Park's dimensions and letting the Royals hit harmless fly balls all game long.
Fortunately for Chicago, while Martinez is first all time in ERA among pitchers with 1000 innings under their belt, Carlos Rodon is number two. Despite starting off his career in excellent fashion, Rodon has improved his entire career, honing his command to grow from an excellent number two to a legitimate ace. Despite tearing his flexor tendon and missing the entire 2021 season, Rodon reemerged as a pitcher better at using sequencing, better at locating his offspeed pitches, and simply being sharper in the mental aspects of the game. Last year, he led the AL in innings, wins, and WAR, proving to Mike Ball that he's ready to anchor the staff.
It will be tough for Kansas City to combat him as the majority of their lineup in left-handed. Their best chance may be via the long ball from newcomer Gary Sanchez. Outside of Batting Average and On-Base Percentage, Sanchez is first or second in every non-speed focused offensive category among Catchers. He's a Hall-of-Fame caliber slugger, and while he's only 2-13 lifetime against Rodon in his career, those two hits were home runs.
If Kansas City can keep it close, they have a few new toys in their bullpen to try out. Jose Torres is one of the best relievers in the game, and an All-Star toiling away in obscurity in San Diego. He was acquired in a trade, and his left-handedness will be important in dealing with Rafael Devers and Andrew Benintendi. Phil Maton is another former Padres All-Star, working as Miami's closer last year and racking up 19 saves with a 2.42 ERA. Finally, Addison Reed joins the club. Reed hasn't been great on the mound during a turbulent half-decade with the Mets, but he's been regarded enough to earn three trips to the World Baseball Classic representing the United States. Scouts love his talent, his intelligence, and his work ethic and believe he'll be a huge asset to Kansas City.
If the Royals can find a way to keep Chicago's offensive stars from going off and can get the game close in the late innings, they should have an opportunity to take an early lead on their division rivals in what should be a brutal AL Central race.
Questions for the GMs:
For Mike Ball, no Yoan Moncada, Tim Anderson, or Alex Bregman anymore. How do you feel about Livan Soto and Ryan Lillard as your starting middle infielders?
Former First Rounder Joe White is mostly known for his speed and defense but looks to be the starting Center Fielder for you. What are you looking for out of him today?
There are a lot of rookies in your bullpen. Why the decision to go with such an inexperienced group?
For Daniel Kent, will you trot out your core lineup today or match up with the lefty Rodon?
What does J.P. Crawford give your team that it didn't have last year?
You have a few lefties in the bullpen for Chicago's primarily left-handed offense. Will you want to see Honeywell facing Devers and Benintendi a third time through the order?
TRIVIA: What team handed Carlos Martinez his only loss in an Opening Day start?
