A rain delay has postponed the start of the Chicago White Sox's game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. The White Sox, beginning a three-game series, plan to use left-hander Brandon Eisert as an opener, followed by right-hander Jonathan Cannon. Manager Will Venable emphasized the importance of this strategy in managing matchups against the Reds' batting lineup. He noted that Cannon has a strong capability to pitch deep into games, which helps alleviate pressures on the bullpen, especially in the context of utilizing an opener.
"We will provide more information as it becomes available," the Reds wrote on social media.
"Had a good feeling that (the Reds) were going to do (left-handed hitter TJ) Friedl and (switch hitter Elly) De La Cruz in the top three (of the batting order), which they have against left-handed starters, so we get the matchup up front," Sox manager Will Venable said.
"He's shown the ability to do that well, even without an opener, and with the opener he almost took it the length of the game for us (April 26 against the Athletics in West Sacramento, Calif.)."
"Those things combined kind of takes the pressure off our bullpen, gets the matchup up front, then utilize (Cannon's) skill set in being able to pitch deep into games."
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