First-year White Sox pitching coach Ethan Katz was looking forward to a matchup of aces, one a Cy Young winner (Indians right-hander Shane Bieber) and the other a top Cy Young candidate (Sox righty Lucas Giolito) Tuesday at Guaranteed Rate Field.
“It will bring the best out of both of them,” Katz said Tuesday. “It’s going to be really exciting. I know Lucas will be definitely ready to go.”
Katz was spot on. Giolito pitched seven-plus innings of three-hit, scoreless ball, striking out eight and walking two. He threw 107 pitches, 75 for strikes.
Bieber was more than ready, too, throwing a shutout threw nine innings of three-hit ball with 11 strikeouts. He did not allow a runner to reach second until his first walk, to Jose Abreu with two outs in the ninth, moved Adam Eaton to second. Bieber then struck out Yoan Moncada to send force extra innings.
Evan Marshall pitched a scoreless eighth, recording two outs with Roberto Perez on second base, and Liam Hendriks a perfect ninth for the Sox.
Vaughn sits
Andrew Vaughn has started five of the Sox’ first 11 games and only once against a right-hander was on the bench Tuesday, but manager Tony La Russa said the rookie will be in the lineup for the final two games of the Indinans series and “play a lot” on the upcoming road trip to Boston and Cleveland.
La Russa has been questioned for sitting the Sox’ top prospect, but he prioritizes winning over development and said Vaughn, batting .143/.400/.214 with five walks, has to to earn everyday at-bats just as he earned his spot on the roster.
“He’s playing [Wednesday] and Thursday and the reason is we’re not trying to develop him,” La Russa said. “It’s because he’s ready to help us and I think he’ll be able to help us.”
Kopech a non-starter
Michael Kopech has recovered very well from his multi-inning relief stints and would have been an option to start Monday when Carlos Rodon was scratched from his start if he hadn’t pitched the day before, pitching coach Ethan Katz said.
With five starters “we’re really happy with” and with Kopech on an innings limit for 2021 there’s no need to rush him into a starter’s role,” Katz said.
“Too much, too soon would be a mistake,” Katz said.
“The plan is not to overdo with him so we have him much stronger at the end of the season.”
Kopech struck out 11 of the first 22 batters he faced over 6 1⁄3 scoreless innings of one-hit ball.
Indians first baseman receives racist tweets
Indians first baseman Yu Chang shared anti-Asian postings he received on Twitter after making an error that allowed the Sox’ winning run to score in their 4-3 victory Monday.
Chang posted a tweet which referred to the shape of his eyes and another to the coronavirus. Chang, who is Taiwanese, asked for tolerance.
“Exercise your freedom of speech in a right way, I accept all comments, positive or negative but DEFINITELY NOT RACIST ONES,” Chang wrote. “Thank you all and love you all.”
He included the hashtag StopAsianHate.
Anderson looks ready
*Tim Anderson (hamstring strain) ran full speed during drills and is on target to return from the injured list Thursday, the first day he is eligible.
