Previously on this blog, in January, I offered the unpopular view that the White Sox should try Garrett Crochet as a starting pitcher.
I acknowledged all the risks and red flags. I understood the skepticism and even shared in it. But I also figured, why the hell not? Give it a shot. This isn't a contention season. Crochet is a former first-round pick who has battled injuries and hasn't gotten an opportunity. He has the desire to be a starting pitcher. This is the time to find out what you have, no? If it fails, so what?
The Sox agreed, and in fact, they made Crochet their Opening Day starter. So far, the move is a bright spot in a lackluster start to the season.
Crochet delivered the South Siders' first victory of 2024 Tuesday night, holding the Atlanta Braves to just one run in a 3-2 win.
Frankly, Crochet should have won his first start. He threw six innings of one-run ball against the Detroit Tigers, while striking out eight and walking nobody. The Sox, of course, lost that game 1-0.
Against Atlanta, a team that won 104 games last season, Crochet pitched seven innings. He allowed five hits and one walk, and once again struck out eight. Marcell Ozuna's solo home run in the seventh inning was the only blemish on his line.
For those wondering, "Who is the closer?" On this night, it was Michael Kopech, who got five outs for his first career save.
Kopech escaped a bases-loaded jam by getting a double-play ball off the bat of Austin Riley in the eighth. Ozuna also homered off Kopech in the ninth to cut a 3-1 Sox lead in half. The Braves put two more men on base before Kopech shut the door.
The Sox are 1-4 and have one more game to play against the Braves, weather permitting, on Wednesday afternoon.
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