Play Ball: Sox, Cubs Ready For Opening Day With World Series Dreams

CHICAGO — After being unceremoniously pushed into April by the lockout, the new Major League Baseball season opens for business on Thursday, with one of Chicago’s two teams eyeing a championship while the other simply hopes to be competitive while holding onto World Series dreams of its own.

The White Sox are again expected to be the favorite in the American League Central after capturing the division title under Tony La Russa last season. The Sox, who open the season Friday in Detroit against the Tigers, already are forced to deal with an early-season setback after the team announced that starting pitcher Lance Lynn will miss at least two months with a knee injury.

But after winning the division crown last year despite having to overcome a number of injuries to key players who are now healthy, the Sox appear ready to make another championship push under La Russa.

The Sox have plenty of talent, led by reigning American League MVP Tim Anderson, who headlines a roster with plenty of depth that could be in contention for the American League pennant if they can avoid a third straight early playoff exit.

Anderson will miss the first two games of the season due to a suspension involving an altercation with an umpire last season. Anderson will serve the suspension while the Sox are on the road, but will be ready for next week’s home opener against the Mariners. Lucas Giolito will take the mound for the Sox Thursday against the Tigers in the first game of a three-game set.

The first 20,000 fans at Tuesday's home opener will receive a commemorative pennant celebrating the 2021 division title. First pitch is scheduled for 3:10 p.m.

“We’re as ready we can be,” La Russa told reporters earlier this week. “The guys have worked hard.”

The Cubs open the new season on Thursday at Wrigley Field against the Brewers on what is expected to be a cold and rainy day. Unlike the New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins, the Cubs have not announced plans to postpone the season opener due to inclement weather.

Forecasters are predicting a 70 percent chance of rain, which could affect the festivities, which are scheduled to begin at 1:20 p.m. The mask and proof of COVID-19 vaccination requirements have been lifted at Wrigley Field, but fans are reminded that concessions stands at the ballpark will only be accepting credit or debit cards, the Cubs said.

Kyle Hendricks will start the season on the mound for the Cubs, who are looking to rebound from a season when they missed the playoffs. The Cubs, who were in first place before a mid-season slide that preceded the team trading Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant and Javier Baez, are expected to finish near the bottom of the National League Central Division behind the Brewers and Cardinals.

The Cubs made a big off-season splash by signing Japanese slugger Seiya Suzuki, who hit a pair of spring training home runs as he adjusts to Major League pitching. Suzuki is poised to become an outfield fixture for the Cubs in the prime of his baseball career.

The Cubs needed to solidify their outfield after trading Bryant last season and without knowing how much production they will get out of Jason Heyward, who begins the season as the Cubs’ starting center fielder but has competition with Clint Frazier and Michael Hermosillo.

The Cubs’ starting rotation also got a boost with the off-season signing of Marcus Stroman, who is expected to punch up a pitching staff that has struggled at times to keep the Cubs in games.

Still, manager David Ross remains optimistic about a team some pundits feel could be better than many experts believe is realistic. Ross says his expectations haven’t changed.

“Winning. Making the playoffs. Getting to the World Series,” Ross told reporters when asked about his goals. “We’re never going to stop working toward that. That’s what we have established here. That’s the expectations that I come with. Whether the outside people feel like we’re talented or not, we’re going to work to prepare to win the World Series.”