Cease’s Slider is Pure Poetry

Photo credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

White Sox ace, Dylan Cease has written a poem in honor of his legend-in-the-making slider.

O’ Slider Slide
By Dylan Cease

O’ slider slide o’ slider slide
Past the batsman I send my slider to hide

O’ slider slide o’ slider slide
Past the batsmen I send that round cowhide

O’ slider slide o’ slider slide
A fortune staked on you lest I over stride

O’ slider slide o’ slider slide
In the strike zone indeed a win is implied

O’ slider slide o’ slider slide
The humans can’t believe my 3000rpm and fastball ride

O’ slider slide o’ slider slide
Your execution can earn you a bride

O’ slider slide o’ slider slide
Even the back up tried

O’ slider slide o’ slider slide
To the back foot of a lefty … check swing and the ump is wrong

Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox

(Short) Week of April 7-10, 2022

Photo credit: Getty Images

April 7—Seby Zavala (c) outrighted to Charlotte Knights. He will be missed!

Opening Day – April 7, 2022

➤ White Sox off

➤ Chicago Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks, RHP throws first pitch of the season against Milwaukee Brewers at 1:20 pm CDT at Wrigley Field

➤ Cleveland Guardians defeated by Kansas City Royals at Kaufmann Stadium by a score of 1-3. Starter Shane Bieber, healthy as a horse, gives up 1 R/ER on 3 H (0 BB, 0 K) on 4 ⅔ IP. | WP: Scott Barlow | LP: Triston McKenzie

Three-Game Series at Detroit Tigers

Sox win series 2-1 | Season vs. Tigers 2-1


Game 1

Friday, April 8 at 12:10 pm CDT
Comerica Park – Tigers Home Opener
Lucas Giolito, RHP at
Tigers / Eduardo Rodriguez, LHP

L, 4-5, 0-1 (.000), L1 | LP: Liam Hendriks (0-1, 18.00, 2) | BS: Liam Hendriks (1)

➤ Possible injury: Lucas Giolito exits with abdominal tightness, after 4

DEFENSE: Starter Lucas Giolito leaves after 4.0 IP with the Sox up 3-0 (2 BB, 6 SO). In his major league debut, Bennett Sousa LHP pitches a 1-2-3 (0 SO) 5th. In his first game with the White Sox, Kyle Click RHP goes HBP, BB, FO, exiting with 2 on the 6th (⅓ IP). In his first game with the White Sox, Kendall Graveman RHP allows a base hit that scores Click‘s HBP runner, then ends the 6th with a 6-4-3 DP. Graveman throws a 1-2-3 (1 SO) 7th. Aaron Bummer goes SO, 1B, BB, 1B, SO in the 8th to load the bases (⅔ IP). Closer Liam Hendriks steps in, allowing a 1B that scores 2 of 3 inherited ERs, leaving runners on the corners. Next, he throws a HBP for good measure to load the bases again and, finally, ends the 8th with a force out at 3B. Hendriks returns in the 9th with the Sox up 4-3, but blows the save, giving up a HR to Eric Haase, and the walk-off RBI 1B to Javier Báez (line drive to AJ Pollock at 9 hits wall, Pollock plays it off as a catch, convincing the umps, Tigers challenge, call is overturned, Austin Meadows scores from 3B). OFFENSE: Batting at the top of the order, the newly-acquired AJ Pollock goes 3-for-5, tallying his first RBI (1B scores Jake Berger from 2B) and scoring his first run (on a Luis Robert 2B) for the White Sox in the 2nd. With the game tied at 3, Andrew Vaughn smashes a go-ahead HR (1) in the 9th. NOTABLE: The White Sox picked Bennett Sousa in the 10th round of the 2018 draft (#288 overall). Sousa participated in spring training in 2020, 2021 and 2022. The White Sox signed free agent Kyle Click to a minor league contract in July 2021, then signed him to a big-league contract yesterday. Click was drafted by the Giants in 2011, debuted in 2017, and traded to the Pirates in January 2018. The White Sox signed Kendall Graveman after last season. In his first game with the White Sox, veteran infielder Josh Harrison goes 0-for-4, playing 2B and batting 7th in the lineup. The White Sox signed Harrison as a free agent on March 15.

Watch game highlights from mlb.com:

Lucas Giolito to Miss Starts

Lucas Giolito RHP 27
MLB Advanced Media, LP

April 9—Manager Tony La Russa says that Lucas Giolito will be placed on the IL shortly and will miss at least two starts. Righty Vince Velasquez will step into the starting rotation, and will pitch in the home opener on Tuesday.

Game 2

Saturday, April 9 at 12:10 pm CDT
Comerica Park
Dylan Cease, RHP at
Tigers / Casey Mize, RHP

W, 5-2, 1-1 (.500), W1 | WP: Dylan Cease (1-0, 1.80, 8) | SV: Aaron Bummer (1)

➤ Possible injury: AJ Pollock exits with hamstring tightness, in the 3rd. Pollock was already scheduled to go on paternity leave next week for the birth of his second child.

DEFENSE: Sporting a new stache, Dylan Cease gives up 1 R/ER on 2 H (3 BB, 8 SO) in 5.0 + 1 IP. After striking out four in a row in the 3rd and 4th, Cease issues 2 BB in the 5th, but fights his way out of the jam with K and LO, for the last two outs. Cease faces 1 batter in the 6th, allowing a 1B. Reynaldo López takes over with a man on, giving up 2 H and 1 BB, right out of the gate, then makes a stellar play at home for the first out. A 6-4-3 DP gets him out of the inning with Cease‘s ER scored and 1 ER of his own. Bennett Sousa replaces López after he BBs the first batter in the 7th. Sousa quickly retires the side with DP, FO, and returns in the 8th to SO the first batter (Austin Meadows) for his first career strikeout. José Ruiz finishes the inning with 1B, 4-6-3 DP. Aaron Bummer takes the mound in the 9th: 1B, 1B, K, K, K, for the save. OFFENSE: Eloy Jiménez 2-RBI 1B scores Luis Robert (singled) and José Abreu (doubled) in the 1st. Yasmani Grandal 2-run HR (1) scores José Abreu (singled) in the 6th. Andrew Vaughn RBI single scores Josh Harrison (doubled, advanced to 3B on Jake Berger sac bunt) in the 7th. NOTABLE: Josh Harrison gets his first hit—a lead-off 3B—for the White Sox in the 5th. Dylan Cease is 9-0 career against the Tigers.

Watch game highlights from mlb.com:

AJ Pollock possible injury:

Game 3

Sunday, April 10 at 12:10 pm CDT
Comerica Park
Michael Kopech, RHP at
Tigers / Tarik Skubal, LHP

W, 10-1, 2-1 (.667), W2 | WP: Kyle Crick (1-0, 6.75, 1)

DEFENSE: Looking to establish himself in the rotation this year, Michael Kopech gives up 1 R/ER on 2 H (2 BB, 3 SO) on 4.0 IP. He retires 7 in a row to end the outing. In the 2nd, new catcher, Reese McGuire fires one to 2B to catch Austin Meadows stealing. Kyle Crick (1 SO), Matt Foster and Kendall Graveman contribute a clean inning each in the 5th, 6th and 7th. And in his major league debut, lefty Tanner Banks faces 8 Tigers in the 8th and 9th, retiring 6 (4 SO) and walking 2—nice! OFFENSE: Fresh off his two-day suspension and back in the lead-off position, Tim Anderson knocks a 2B off his first pitch of the season. Luis Robert gets a base hit and steals 2B, giving the Sox 2 RISP after 6 pitches. José Abreu RBI 1B scores TA. Eloy Jiménez sac fly scores Robert. Sox are 3-for-3 on the season scoring in the 1st. José Abreu RBI 2B scores Luis Robert (grounded into a force out) and Josh Harrison RBI 1B scores Abreu in the 3rd. Danny Mendick RBI 2B to deep left scores Reese McGuire (reached on an error) in the 4th. Eloy Jiménez RBI 1B scores Tim Anderson (doubled) and Andrew Vaughn 3-run HR brings home José Abreu (walked) and Jiménez in the 7th. Andrew Vaughn RBI 1B scores José Abreu (singled, advanced to 2B on Eloy Jiménez GO) in the 9th. NOTABLE: The White Sox picked Tanner Banks in the 18th round of the 2014 draft (#528 overall). He must be thrilled/relieved to have made it to The Show at last!

Watch game highlights from mlb.com:

Week of April 12-18, 2021

Four-Game Series vs. Cleveland Indians

Split series 2-2

Monday, April 12, 2021 at 7:10 pm CDT
Guaranteed Rate Field
Carlos Rodón, LHP vs.
Indians / Triston McKenzie, RHP

W, 4-3, 5-5 (.500), W1 | WP: Codi Heuer (1-0) | Game 10

Dallas Keuchel starts due to Carlos Rodón upset stomach. After a solid 5-inning performance in which he retired 12 in a row after giving up a 2-run HR, Dallas Keuchel loads the bases with the first three batters in the 6th, before being relieved by Evan Marshall. Codi Heuer 4 SO in 2 ⅓ IP to win. Adam Eaton 3-run HR. Tied at 3 in the bottom of the 9th, White Sox score on what should have been a routine double play (E3 – Yu Chang). Watch game highlights from mlb.com.

Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at 7:10 pm CDT
Guaranteed Rate Field
Lucas Giolito, RHP vs.
Indians / Shane Bieber, RHP

L, 2-0, 5-6 (.455), L1 | LP: Garrett Crochet (0-2) | Game 11

Epic pitching duel. Shane Bieber pitches a beautiful 9 innings for the Tribe with 11 SO, 1 BB, and 3 hits. Lucas Giolito went 7.0+ innings for the White Sox with 8 SO, 2 BB, and 3 hits. Scoreless at the end of Regulation. In the top of the 10th, Roberto Pérez bats in the first run of the game with a ground ball single perfectly placed between 5 and 6. Watch game highlights from mlb.com.

Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at 7:10 pm CDT
Guaranteed Rate Field
Carlos Rodón, LHP vs.
Indians / Zach Plesac, RHP

W, 8-0, 6-6 (.500), W1 | WP: Carlos Rodón (2-0) | Game 12

Carlos Rodón serves up the 20th no-hitter in White Sox history, missing a perfecto by just two outs. Carlos Rodón’s drive toward a perfect game ended with a toe ball that hit Roberto Pérez. Yermín Mercedes 3-run homer. Watch game highlights from mlb.com.

Dylan Cease to Injured List

Dylan Cease RHP 84
MLB Advanced Media, LP

April 14—Dylan Cease placed on 10-day injured list with symptoms of COVID-19.

Thursday, April, 15 2021 at 1:10 pm CDT
Guaranteed Rate Field – Jackie Robinson Day
Lance Lynn, RHP vs.
Indians / Aaron Civale, RHP

L, 4-2, 6-7 (.462), L1 | LP: Lance Lynn (1-1) | Game 13

Despite his solid performance over 6.0 IP (10 SO, 0 BB, 2 H) giving up just 2 runs, Lance Lynn endures a tough loss. José Abreu makes dual fielding and throwing errors on a single play in the 8th allowing the Indians’ third run to score. In the 1st, Adam Eaton beats the play to 2B, then Indians second baseman Andrés Giménez dislodges him from the bag with his leg. Eaton is called out, clearing both benches and bullpens without incident. Watch game highlights from mlb.com.

April 15—Tim Anderson activated from IL

Four-Game Series at Boston Red Sox

Split series 2-2

Friday, April 16, 2021 at 6:10 pm CDT
Fenway Park
Dylan Cease, RHP vs.
Red Sox / Nick Pivetta, RHP

2021-04-16 Winter-Like Conditions at Fenway Park
MLB Advanced Media, LP Fenway Park – Apr 16, 2021

Postponed due to winter-like conditions. Rescheduled for Sunday at 4:10 pm CDT as the second game of a split doubleheader.

April 16—Dylan Cease activated from IL

Saturday, April 17, 2021 at 3:05 pm CDT
Fenway Park
Dylan Cease, RHP vs.
Red Sox / Nick Pivetta, RHP

L, 7-4, 6-8 (.429), L2 | LP: Codi Heuer (1-1) | Game 14

No decision for Dylan Cease with 6 SO, 3 BB, 6 hits, and 2 runs on 4 ⅔ IP. White Sox took an early 2-0 lead in the 1st but did not score again until the 7th when a Yoán Moncada sac fly tied the game at 3. But Boston broke it open in the 8th scoring 4 runs. Watch game highlights from mlb.com.

Red Sox City Connect Series Alternates
Billie Weiss, Boston Red Sox, Nike Red Sox City Connect Series Alternates

The Red Sox debuted their City Connect series alternates—bright yellow and sky blue jerseys with white pants—in honor of Patriots’ Day weekend and the Boston Marathon.

Sunday, April 18, 2021 at 12:10 pm CDT
Fenway Park – 7-inning game
Dallas Keuchel, LHP vs.
Red Sox / Tanner Houck, RHP

W, 3-2, 7-8 (.467), W1 | WP: Dallas Keuchel (1-0) | S: Liam Hendricks (2) | Game 15

Dallas Keuchel allows just 1 R on 6 H in the first 5 innings, then gives up a HR to the first batter (Enrique Hernández) in the 6th, before being relived by Aaron Bummer (1 SO, 0 BB, 6 H, 2 R). Tim Anderson scores his ninth career leadoff HR off Tanner Houck’s first pitch of the game—a 97-MPH four-seamer. Yasmani Grandal double in the 4th brings in Abreu. Yoán Mancada single in the 5th brings in Jake Lamb. Watch game highlights from mlb.com.

Sunday, April 18, 2021 at 4:10 pm CDT
Fenway Park – Makeup of April 16 (7-innings)
Michael Kopech, RHP vs.
Red Sox / Martín Pérez, LHP

W, 5-1, 8-8 (.500), W2 | WP: Matt Foster (1-1) | Game 16

Nice start for Michael Kopech with 4 SO, 1 BB, 1 H and 1 R on 3.0+ IP. Evan Marshall retires 3 of 4 in the 6th on his 31st birthday. Liam Hendricks shuts down 3 on 8 pitches to close. Yermín Mercedes leads off with a HR in the 4th, followed by runs scored on a Danny Mendick single and a Nick Madrigal double. Sox load the bases with no outs in the 6th, on a Leury García single, an Andrew Vaughn double, and a Zack Collins walk. A Nick Madrigal sac fly brings in García. First Good Sox doubleheader sweep versus Bad Sox since 2010. Watch game highlights from mlb.com.

Lance Lynn to Injured List

Lance Lynn RHP 33
MLB Advanced Media, LP

April 18—Lance Lynn placed on 10-day injured list with a strained right trapezius, retroactive to Saturday, April 17.