Sean Burke Set to Ignite White Sox Bullpen Against Orioles After Minor League Revival
Sean Burke Receives Second Chance with White Sox
The Chicago White Sox have announced that Sean Burke will take the mound in a bulk role during Monday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles. This comes after the right-hander’s recent stint in Triple-A, where he aimed to refine his skills and regain his form.
Burke’s return to the major leagues follows a promising performance in his debut against the Tampa Bay Rays, which ended in a 6-5 victory for the White Sox. Reflecting on that experience, Burke expressed a sense of excitement, likening it to a second debut. “It was fun. It was exciting,” Burke noted. “I’m just happy to be back up here and help the team win.”
The absence of immediate roster moves following his debut signaled to Burke that he would retain his spot on the big league roster. This was confirmed when the team announced that left-hander Tyler Gilbert would serve as the opener for Monday’s 6:40 p.m. CT game at Guaranteed Rate Field, paving the way for Burke to follow.
Opener Strategy and Burke’s Performance
The White Sox have employed an opener strategy in four previous games this season, with mixed results. In those outings, Burke has pitched effectively, allowing only eight earned runs across 22 innings, resulting in a respectable 3.27 ERA. Despite his individual success, the team has struggled to capitalize, going 0-4 in games utilizing this tactic, with four of those losses coming by just one run.
In his first major league outing since August 16, Burke displayed resilience despite a rocky start. He pitched 4.1 innings, yielding five hits and three earned runs, while striking out five batters. A pivotal moment occurred in the second inning when Burke found himself in a bases-loaded situation with no outs. Demonstrating grit, he escaped the jam with a strikeout and a well-timed double play. After allowing a home run and a single in the fifth inning, he exited the game.
Manager Will Venable praised Burke’s performance, acknowledging the challenges posed by walks but commending his ability to recover. “The walks put him in a tough spot,” Venable remarked. “But I thought after that he did a nice job being in the zone, attacking. Saw a really good fastball from him, which was nice.”
Burke’s Development and Velocity Boost
Burke, initially the White Sox Opening Day starter, faced challenges that led to his option to Triple-A on August 18, where he carried a 4.28 ERA over 117.2 innings. During his time in the minors, he made three starts, giving up 11 earned runs but also making significant mechanical adjustments that resulted in a notable increase in his fastball velocity, peaking at 99.8 mph.
“I distinctly remember looking at some video and feeling something I hadn’t in a while,” Burke shared. “Once I got that feel back, it was about practicing it and holding that feel throughout the game.”
Facing the Orioles and Looking Ahead
As Burke prepares to face the Orioles, he encounters a team that has experienced a tumultuous stretch. Baltimore began September with an impressive 8-1 record but struggled over the weekend, suffering a sweep in Toronto. Currently sitting in last place in the American League with a 69-80 record, they share a parallel trajectory with the White Sox, who have recently faltered after a strong start to the month.
The White Sox, having won eight of their first ten games in September, were held to just three runs during a three-game sweep against the Cleveland Guardians over the weekend. With the final home stand of the season approaching, featuring series against both the Orioles and the San Diego Padres, Burke’s performance could be pivotal as the team seeks to regain momentum.
As the White Sox aim to turn the tide, all eyes will be on Burke to deliver a standout performance in his critical role.
