Before the game even started fans were lining up before gates opened to get a look at Kopech working in the bullpen before his start. As the gates opened fans ran to the left field bullpen impatiently waiting just to get their eyes on Kopech. As he made his walk out to the bullpen from the dugout he was greeted with a standing ovation and a crowd of people by the bullpen.
As the White Sox number one pitching prospect took the mound Tuesday night, all of the fans in at Guaranteed Rate Field were on their feet filled with anticipation and excitement for the fireballer to make his MLB debut. At the game the atmosphere was playoff like, fans were on edge for every pitch as they got a glimpse into the future of what could be their future ace. Thunderstruck played, the fireworks went off, and Kopech took the mound ready to show the South Side faithful what they were waiting for.
Kopech took the mound and looked a little nervous through his first two batters. Two weak base hits lead to his first MLB jam in his first MLB inning. Runners on first and third with nobody out bringing up the 3,4, and 5 hitters in the twins lineup. Kopech gets his first MLB out in Jorge Polanco with a shallow fly out to left. This seemed to calm Kopech's nerves as in his next at bat he got his first MLB strikeout against Miguel Sano.
Kopech then proceeded to get out of the jam and complete his first inning of work. A scary but promising start to his MLB career. The second inning of work seemed to come a lot easier to Kopech. Every time he got into a 2 strike count everybody would rise to their feet and believed he sit down each and every batter he faced. He struck out the side and worked past 2 hits and looked to be getting into a groove. Then Mother Nature rained on the White Sox parade and caused a 52 minute delay which brought Kopech out of the game. This start I think could be labeled as one of the most electrifying 2 innings of the past 9 years for the White Sox. All eyes will be on Kopech in his next start which is slated to be Sunday at Detroit. I know he's as excited as Sox fans are for him to go deeper into a game.