Though Chicago White Sox rookie Carlos Rodon will be making his second career start Friday at Oakland, the outing actually marks the beginning of an era, of sorts.
Though Rodon's start against the Cincinnati Reds, in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader, was for emergency purposes because Jeff Samardzija and Chris Sale were serving suspensions, Friday’s start marks the first since the White Sox announced they are incorporating their 22-year-old into the rotation.
It still is not completely clear how Rodon will be used as a starter. The White Sox still want to limit his innings, which means he could be skipped at certain parts of the season or he could be under a strict pitch limit when he does start.
Rodon’s transition into major league life has had its ups and downs already, which is not completely unexpected. Used as a reliever when he first arrived, Rodon had a rough debut on April 21, when he allowed two inherited runners to score, gave up two runs of his own and walked three in 2 1/3 innings.
Since then, Rodon has managed to look more comfortable every time out, including Saturday’s start when he gave up two runs on four hits over six innings in the victory.
Rodon’s move to the rotation also means the White Sox are operating with four left-handed starters, along with Sale, John Danks and Jose Quintana. Samardzija, who the White Sox acquired this winter for more rotation balance, is now the only right-handed starter for the club, although Hector Noesi could still start on occasion to give Rodon a break.
HEAD TO HEAD
Oakland starter Jesse Hahn has never faced the White Sox. ... A’s starter Jesse Chavez has nine appearances against the White Sox, but just one prior start, going 2-1 with a 3.05 ERA in 20 2/3 innings. ... The White Sox’s Melky Cabrera is 10-for-28 (.357) in his career against A’s starter Scott Kazmir, with two doubles and a home run. ... Rodon has never faced the A’s. ... Danks is one of the few White Sox starters with success against the A’s in recent years, going 6-3 with a 2.38 ERA against Oakland over 11 career starts. ... The A’s are one of two teams Samardzija has never faced. The other is the Chicago Cubs. He pitched for both before joining the White Sox via trade this past winter.
NOTES
The White Sox officially recalled infielder Carlos Sanchez from Triple-A Charlotte on Friday. Micah Johnson was optioned back to Charlotte on Thursday. ... The White Sox have won each of their past three series, including their first road series victory of the season against the Milwaukee Brewers this week. ... The White Sox have won six of their past nine. ... Alexei Ramirez is riding an eight-game hitting streak, batting .355 (11-for-31) over that stretch with two home runs and six RBIs. ... Adam LaRoche has reached base safely in each of his past 11 games, batting .333 (10-for-30) over that stretch. ... Despite the series victory at Milwaukee, the White Sox are just 4-12 on the road this season and have been outscored 93-52 away from U.S. Cellular Field. ... At 14-17, the White Sox are three games away from .500 for the first time since they were 8-11 on April 30. ... Though the White Sox have struggled on defense with 25 errors and a .978 fielding percentage, near the bottom of the American League in both categories, the A’s are actually worse with 36 errors and a .973 fielding percentage. ... Former White Sox infielder Marcus Semien is batting .307 for the A’s with a .521 slugging percentage, but leads the American League with 11 errors at shortstop.
PITCHING MATCHUPS
Friday: White Sox LH Carlos Rodon (1-0, 2.92 ERA) vs. A’s RH Jesse Hahn (1-3, 4.73), 9:07 p.m. CST
Saturday: White Sox LH John Danks (1-3, 5.12) vs. A’s RH Jesse Chavez (2-3, 2.56), 8:07 p.m. CST
Sunday: White Sox RH Jeff Samardzija (2-2, 4.80) vs. A’s LH Scott Kazmir (2-1, 2.78), 3:07 p.m. CST
