Starting rotation is White Sox' X-factor in 2026: 'Our thing is making sure we give our offense a chance'

GLENDALE, Ariz. — White Sox manager Will Venable had been coy about his rotation this spring.

But on Tuesday, Venable was very laconic and not only revealed the rotation, but also the order in which they will pitch.

After Opening Day starter Shane Smith, it’ll be right-hander Sean Burke, left-hander Anthony Kay and right-handers Davis Martin and Erick Fedde. Smith, Martin and Kay were virtual locks for the rotation, but Burke — last year’s Opening Day starter — was competing for a spot after an inconsistent season. Fedde was a late addition to the competition after signing a one-year, $1.5 million contract right before camp.

Fedde and Burke were competing with left-hander Sean Newcomb, and right-handers Mike Vasil and Jonathan Cannon. Vasil will be out for the season, Newcomb is pitching out of the bullpen, and Cannon will start the season in Triple-A Charlotte. The team hopes left-handed prospects Hagen Smith and Noah Schultz debut in the majors this season.

With the offense set, the rotation will be the X-factor for the Sox this season if they want to avoid a fourth consecutive 100-loss season.

“We can pitch better than we all showed last year,” Burke said. “Our rotation as a whole is taking on that challenge and trying to lead this team. Our thing is making sure we give our offense a chance to win. I feel like every spring training game, I'm hearing a lot of contact and guys hitting. Our job is just to go in the game and keep putting up zeros for offense.”

Getz accentuated the lineup by adding Austin Hays and Munetaka Murakami, two hitters who project to provide some slug and help runs score in bunches.

But the rotation — and the Sox’ defense — has some question marks. For one, the Sox’ outfield defense isn’t going to save many runs this season. Despite their woeful offensive production, Luis Robert Jr. and Michael A. Taylor were both standout defenders who saved balls from finding grass, which is a tremendous luxury given that the Sox have many pitchers who pitch to contact.

Hays has limited range but a strong arm, Andrew Benintendi's defensive effectiveness has waned as injuries have taken their toll; and Luisangel Acuna is still learning the nuances of the position. For a rotation that had the eighth-highest fly ball rate, that outfield uncertainty isn't promising.

Since they can’t rely on their defense, the Sox have focused on aspects they can control: walk rate (Sox starters had the third-highest walk rate in the majors) and the running game. Controlling the running game was a major reason they hired Zach Bove as their new pitching coach from the Royals — Kansas City was one of the best at limiting stolen bases. For a Sox team that is still accumulating talent, any advantage is necessary.

“We've been trying to work [controlling the running game] in spring by just varying holds, doing different picks and giving our catchers a good chance to throw,” Burke said.

But there are more questions than answers in the rotation. How will Smith perform this year after an All-Star rookie season? How will Kay adjust back to the majors after two years away? Can Burke cut down on the mechanical issues that led to his ineffective outings? Can Fedde rediscover his 2024 form?

The team's slogan this season is "Feel the momentum." But the old baseball adage is that momentum is only as good as the next day's starting pitcher, and the Sox will discover if their rotation can match the offense and answer the skepticism.