Dylan Cease had a breakout 2022 season, finishing second in the American League Cy Young voting.
He’ll begin 2023 as the opening-day starter for the Chicago White Sox, who will play the Houston Astros in a nationally televised game Thursday night at Minute Maid Park.
“(Cease has an) unbelievable demeanor, great demeanor,” Sox manager Pedro Grifol said Thursday. “Stress doesn’t bother him. At least he doesn’t show it. That’s a weapon.
“There’s a reason why he’s doing what he’s doing. Really, really locked into his work and committed to being really good.”
It’s the first time Cease, 27, has received the first-game opportunity.
Cease went 14-8 with a 2.20 ERA and 227 strikeouts in 32 starts last season. He was second in the AL in ERA, strikeouts and opponents average (.190) and third in strikeouts per nine innings (11.1).
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He had a stretch of 14 starts from May 29 to Aug. 11 in which he allowed one earned run or none, becoming the first major-league starter (not counting openers) since 1913 to accomplish the feat.
He finished second in the Cy Young voting to Justin Verlander, who pitched for the Astros in 2022 and signed with the New York Mets during the offseason.
Cease is making his final Cactus League start Friday against the Oakland Athletics in Mesa, Ariz.
He has allowed two earned runs in his last two starts spanning 7⅓ innings after giving up 11 runs in two-thirds of an inning against the Royals on March 8. He retired 10 straight against the Seattle Mariners on Sunday, including striking out five consecutive batters.
After that outing Cease was asked what being named an opening day starter would mean to him.
“It would definitely be special,” he said. “A big honor.”
That “would” has become reality.
PHOTOS: Andrean baseball wins 3A state title
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Andrean’s Alonzo Paul (1) reacts after the 59ers take a 3-0 lead over Brebeuf in the third inning during the 3A state final at Victory Field in Indianapolis Friday.
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Andrean’s Billy Jones (17) singles in the second inning against Brebeuf in the second inning during the 3A state final at Victory Field in Indianapolis Friday.
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Andrean’s Peyton Niksch (12) pitches in the third inning against Brebeuf during the 3A state final game at Victory Field in Indianapolis Friday.
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Andrean’s Jax Kalemba (20) follows through on a hit scoring two runs in the second inning against Brebeuf during the 3A state final game at Victory Field in Indianapolis Friday.
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Andrean’s Billy Jones (17) waits at home plate with Mason Barth (3) for Kyle Tyler (2) as he comes home to give the 59ers’ a 2-0 lead over Brebeuf during the 3A state final game at Victory Field in Indianapolis Friday.
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Andrean players celebrate with the championship trophy after beating Brebeuf 5-1 at Victory Field in Indianapolis Friday.
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Andrean’s Jax Kalemba (20) singles in the fifth inning against Brebeuf during the 3A state final at Victory Field in Indianapolis Friday.
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Andrean’s Angel Ramirez (25) comes around on a sac fly to score Caleb Smith (24) in the fifth inning during the 3A State final game at Victory Field in Indianapolis Friday.
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Andrean players celebrate their 3A state championship win over Brebeuf 5-1 at Victory Field in Indianapolis Friday.
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Andrean’s Caleb Smith (24) steps on the plate in the fifth inning for the fifth run in 59ers 5-1 win over Brebeuf in the 3A State final game at Victory Field in Indianapolis Friday.
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Andrean’s Owen Walkowiak (5), Jax Kalemba (20), Peyton Niksch (12), Drayk Bowen (23), Mason Barth (3) and Noah Chase (7) celebrate as the 59ers win the 3A State Championship over Brebeuf 5-1 at Victory Field in Indianapolis Friday.
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Andrean’s Mason Barth (3) fields a ground ball for the first out of the seventh inning during Friday's state final.
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Andrean players watch from the dugout during the sixth inning during the 3A state final on Friday.
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Andrean’s Jax Kalemba (20) recieves a pitch from Peyton Niksch (12) in the sixth inning against Brebeuf during the 3A state final on Friday.
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Andrean’s Billy Jones (17) lays out for the second out of the seventh inning against Brebeuf in the 3A State final game at Victory Field in Indianapolis Friday.
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Andrean’s Billy Jones (17) makes a diving catch for the second out of the seventh inning against Brebeuf in the 3A state final on Friday.
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Andrean’s Jax Kalemba (20) and Peyton Niksch (12) embrace after the 59ers 5-1 win in the 3A state final on Friday.
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Andrean’s Caleb Smith (24) is safe at third with Brebeuf’s Will Shenkelberg in the fifth inning during the 3A State final game at Victory Field in Indianapolis Friday.
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