Chicago White Sox's Giolito to hitters who beef about inside pitches: That's your problem
Lucas Giolito has displayed some impressive qualities this season.
Overhauling his mechanics and clearing his mind during the winter after posting the highest ERA (6.13) in the major leagues and leading the American League with 90 walks in 2018, the Chicago White Sox's right-hander has become one of the best starters in baseball seemingly overnight.
"As we're all watching it, we're all amazed," Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "I think everybody in baseball should be amazed at what this young man is doing."
White Sox fans looking for yet another reason to get behind Giolito can look back to Friday night's start against the Yankees at Guaranteed Rate Field.
That's when the 24-year-old Californian displayed some old-school toughness.
Giolito gave up a solo home run to New York's Luke Voit in the first inning.
The next time Voit came up, in the third, Giolito threw a fastball that ran up and in.
Voit didn't like the pitch, and he had words for Giolito. There were more words for Yankees reporters after the game, which the Sox won 10-2.
"It is so much BS," Voit said. "When it is in that area, it's not good. Up and in the first pitch after hitting a home run off him, at my face. You tell me."
Before Saturday night's game, Giolito returned serve. It was not a lob.
"Every once in awhile I'm going to throw inside, back a guy off," Giolito said. "That's how I pitch. If you don't like it, that's your problem. So, whether it be accidental or I'm going in for effect, that's how I pitch. It's going to happen. And I mean, that's that."
That's a pretty strong reply, but Giolito was sincere when saying he wasn't trying to hit Voit, especially in the face.
"That was an accident," he said. "I was actually trying to go away. He didn't like it. I get it. Whatever. But for me, it has no effect on my game plan or what I'm doing.
"I would never, ever throw at a guy's head. That's dangerous and uncalled for, but it's a tough game. Every once in awhile it slips out. That's just part of it."
With home runs piling up at a record rate this season, maybe more pitchers should follow Giolito's lead and start pitching inside.
"As a starting pitcher, commanding the inside part of the plate is huge," said Giolito, who is 10-1 with a 2.22 ERA. "Going in for effect is equally as huge. If a guy is too comfortable in the box and just looking away, away, away, then he has a much better chance against you. So you've got to move him around."
Voit's home run Friday snapped Giolito's scoreless-innings streak at 22, but he didn't flinch and didn't allow another run over the next five innings.
"Pitching in this league, you are going to give up home runs," Giolito said, "It's just part of it. The big difference between last year and this year is last year I give up a home run in the first inning and I let my mind kind of go to a negative place.
"Mull over the pitch selection and don't execute, whereas now it's OK, move on, next pitch. Get the ball and execute the next one."