Dylan Cease shines as White Sox carefully controls his innings in the early stages – The Athletic

It would be saying too much that a White Sox rotation missing Lucas Giolito and Lance Lynn needed a hero, but it certainly took a few innings.

In the first two White Sox series, the longest outing they received from a starter was five frames. It’s to be expected, and it also creates a situation where Tony La Russa had to empty the clip with his highly effective helpers on every non-blowout. Additionally, it’s created a situation where not much leeway is taken from the bullpen on nights when aides support Michael Kopech, Vince Velasquez, and Jimmy Lambert, who for various reasons are all a step or two behind on the ramp-up.

“If he pitches like he did,” La Russa said when asked pregame if Dylan Cease could be the one who could do longer outings. “He’s designed for the number of pitches he can throw, just like everyone else we have on the staff. I expect him to be sharp, but it’s going to be a competition. You’re good over there.”

The 3-2 win over the Rays on Friday night has only changed to a limited extent. Cease was as effective on his second mission as he was on his first. He was only charged with one allowed run.