The White Sox came into their second game of the season with a must-win mentality. We all know that every game in this truncated season must be approached with playoff intensity. The White Sox needed to prove to themselves and to the Minnesota Twins that they can take the 2020 title. Dallas Keuchel has always excelled at ground ball pitching throughout his career. This expertise came into play in stopping the Twins from hitting the ball out of the park in game 2.
The White Sox signed Keuchel, a former Cy Young award winner and WS champion, to provide leadership and a veteran perspective. These are attributes that have been missing from the White Sox rotation for the past 3-4 years. Keuchel also brings a winning mentality. After being on a playoff team, Keuchel understands what it takes to get past the rebuild and into the postseason.
After the Sox blew the home opener to the Twins, the pressure was on for Keuchel to perform. And did he ever. Kuechel pitched (5.1IP 3H 2ER 0BB 1K 73Pitches) in his 2020 season debut for the White Sox. He gave up zero home runs to the mashing Twins lineup before he exited the game in the sixth inning. The Twins hardly ever hit ground balls, but Keuchel executed his gameplan with surgeon-like precision. Fans hoped Keuchel would show up big when White Sox signed him in the offseason, and he did not disappoint.
The White Sox offense also did their part, scoring ten runs. The White Sox offense was led by James McCann and Leury Garcia, batting 8th and 9th respectively. They went a combined 6-8 3HR 6RBI on the day. It was a great display of how deep the White Sox are as a team overall. This lineup is going to be hard to deal with this year.
With this win, Keuchel and the White Sox put themselves in line to win the series on Sunday against the Twins. It is up to Reynaldo Lopez to wrap up the first series of the season. The White Sox are not going to get bullied like they did last season.