Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson roared back from a three-match suspension to have a three-hit, two-run game as the Southsiders easily beat the Detroit Tigers 10-1 on Sunday to emphasise their tag as favourites in the American League Central.
Anderson is 33/1 to be the American League Most Valuable Player in 2022 and he doubled on the first pitch he saw from Detroit's Tarik Skubal.
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Anderson's three-game suspension for bumping an umpire was handed down in the final week of last season, then reduced to two games and a $10,000 fine.
La Russa praise
White Sox manager Tony La Russa went as far to say that nobody is playing shortstop better than Anderson right now.
Speaking to MLB.com, La Russa said: "He (Anderson) is the most lit-up, energised player I've ever watched. Every day, from the minute he walks into that locker room, he's got life and commitment and 'Let's go, let's go', every practice and every game.
"You see his antics, his energy level, and it's infectious. He's the best. And it's all real. He's not putting on a show, and then he disappears. He wants it, he wants to win."
Kopech struggles
Pitcher Michael Kopech, who struggled in his final Spring Training outing, allowed only one run over four innings and 69 pitches. The right-handed pitcher pitched 40 of his 44 games in relief last season, but the starting rotation is where he wants to be.
Speaking to MLB.com, Kopech said: "Today was important to me. I may have put a little extra pressure on myself because it was important to me."
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