Liriano to make White Sox home debut vs. Angels
Philip Humber struggled against the Los Angeles Angels in Friday night’s series opener, and Gavin Floyd followed suit Saturday night.
Since the White Sox are back to using a six-man rotation for the foreseeable future, it is critical that each and every starter goes as deep into the game and pitches as well as possible.
Francisco Liriano gets his shot Sunday, and the left-hander is looking forward to making his first home start in a Sox uniform.
“I can’t wait,” Liriano said.
Acquired in a July 28 trade from Minnesota, Liriano made his first White Sox start against his old team Tuesday and pitched 6 innings against the Twins, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits in 6 innings.
Liriano also had 8 strikeouts, but he walked four and wound up throwing 113 pitches.
Sox pitching coach Don Cooper already has noticed some mechanical flaws and is working with Liriano to get them fixed.
“He wanted me to stay tall and not get too low,” Liriano said. “Another thing he wants me to work on, (we’ll do) later on. He told me for now to go out there and try to do your job and make a good pitch and try to go deeper in the game and not do too much. Just be who I am.”
Who is Liriano?
The dominant starter who went 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA as a rookie with the Twins in 2006? The pitcher who threw a no-hitter against the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field last season?
Or, is Liriano more like the guy who was 5-13 with a 5.80 ERA in 2009 and 3-10 with a 5.18 ERA this season?
General manager Kenny Williams is convinced he traded for a quality starter who can help the Sox get into the playoffs and beyond.
“While there might be some other guys out there who were available, I just felt that Liriano’s one that all he really has to do is be in the strike zone on a more consistent basis,” Williams said. “Coop and I have been through this drill before.
“There were some very immediate and obvious things that we felt could get him in that zone a little bit more, and that’s all it takes. I think he can be an impact guy.”