With eye on postseason, White Sox aim to keep starting rotation freshDaryl Van Schouwenon July 29, 2021 at 1:10 am

With a 9 ¹/₂ game lead in the AL Central entering Wednesday, the Sox have the luxury of giving their starting rotation of Lance Lynn, Carlos Rodon, Lucas Giolito, Dallas Keuchel and Dylan Cease extra days of rest. Of particular concern are Rodon, who has never pitched more than 165 innings and worked only 42 ¹/₃ over the previous two seasons, and Cease who maxed out at 141 ¹/₃ innings between the majors and minors in 2019.

Cease told the Sun-Times over the weekend he feels strong but acknowledged he’s five or six starts from uncharted territory. It’s his turn Sunday, but the Sox haven’t listed a starter yet, even with an off day Monday.

“Everyone is feeling good,” manager Tony La Russa said. “The key is we want them to continue feeling good.”

General manager Rick Hahn said earlier this month that “how best to maximize the opportunity for potential rest for some of these guys and to have the matchups we need for the second half” would be looked at, especially in the wake of a 60-game season in 2020.

“August is a test,” La Russa said. “We just want to be creative and maintain fresh healthy arms however possible.”

Sox starters entered Wednesday with the best ERA (3.30) in the American League.

Second base market shrinks

The second base market shrunk by one when the Diamondbacks sent Eduardo Escobar to the Brewers in exchange for two prospects.

The Sox are thought to be in the market for bullpen help and perhaps a second baseman as the Friday trade deadline (3 p.m. CT) approaches. Escobar, 32, was on their radar and two weeks ago was reportedly on his way to the South Side, but now they might be looking closer at Rockies shortstop Trevor Story, who would have to play second if acquired with Tim Anderson entrenched at shortstop.

For Escobar, a the Brewers reportedly will pick up the remaining portion ($2.8 million) of his salary. They didn’t give up much, parting with catcher Cooper Hummel and 18-year-old infielder Alberto Ciprian, neither of whom were in their top 30 rankings per MLB Pipleline, for Escobar. Ciprian is playing in the Dominican Summer League.

What should be working in the Sox’ favor in any deal for a position “rental” player like Story, whose contract expires after the season, is a buyer’s market for position players. Teams are pursuing pitching with more verve.

Including the Sox, who arguably need bullpen help more than they need a second baseman. But with left fielder Eloy Jimenez back from his injury, center fielder Luis Robert coming soon and catcher Yasmani Grandal healing, a lineup with a potent upgrade over Leury Garcia like Story at second base would give the Sox a staunch starting nine from top to bottom.

“If the front office decides there’s something, then they will make a move and we’ll embrace it,” manager Tony La Russa said. “If they don’t, we go with what we’ve got.”

Broadcast news

Announcer Jason Benetti will be NBC’s lead voice on baseball for the Tokyo Olympics, working with Eduardo Perez calling pool play, the semifinals and the bronze- and gold-medal games. Benetti will call games from the NBC studio in Stamford, Connecticut, and will miss six Sox games — Aug. 1 and Aug. 3-7. Radio voice Len Kasper will fill in on NBC Sports Chicago.

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