Pregame notes: Doubleheader/Erick Fedde Revenge Game

While he always expressed a healthy level of sympathy for the fans suffering through the losingest season in MLB season, the 121 2/3 innings that Cardinals starter Erick Fedde threw in a White Sox uniform was unquestionably the best work of his stateside career. So his summary of his tenure always has a warmer tone than almost anyone who witnessed all the things that happened around it.

"All of here last year were trying our best to be better, and in that sense it's frustrating," Fedde said. "But it was a big year for me in proving that I belong in the big leagues, and in that sense it meant a lot to me."

Fedde overhauled his delivery and arsenal at PUSH Performance in Arizona before dominating the KBO, so he's not a successful White Sox player development reclamation project in any traditional sense. But he gives them more credit than just being the highest bidder upon his return to the United States.

"We had the signing of [Martín] Maldonado who I think was really big for me, just his breakdown of the game," Fedde said. "The way that [Brian] Bannister and [Ethan] Katz both talked to me created game plans for how I should be attacking hitters. On top of my new stuff, it just gave me a ton of confidence and things I still hold with me in my game today."

The 2024 Sox lost 121 games, so most of the moves the new Sox front office made were not working out in quite emphatic fashion. But Fedde's success was the most prominent endorsement of a new, possibly less troubled process being in place, and he felt he got to know Chris Getz enough to understand the plan that was being put in place. And whether it's because he passed on some small piece of mentorship that bears fruit down the road, or he pitched well enough to bring some legit players back to Chicago in trade, Fedde wouldn't mind looking back in a few years and seeing that it all worked out.

"I know last year [Miguel] Vargas had his struggles but I'm so happy to see him playing better," Fedde said. "In some ways you're connected to them for life now, so I'd love to see him become...I guess a Hall of Famer."

⚙️⚙️⚙️

Will Venable doesn't think it's out of the realm of possibility for Mike Vasil to stretch out to five innings as the Game 2 starter on Thursday, after he got up to four innings on 71 pitches in his last start against the Rangers. While there are many nuances to his game that have been a focus throughout his rookie season, Vasil has a more digestible takeaway for how he's been able to survive in the majors after running a 6.04 ERA with the Mets Triple-A affiliate last year.

"No matter what, throwing harder always helps," Vasil said.

After sitting more in the 92-94 mph range last year, Vasil is averaging 94.1 mph on his fastballs this season, and was frequently flashing 95 mph during his most recent outing. It's the same level of heat that made him an intriguing high school prospect, but it comes after Vasil spent the offseason undergoing biomechanical assessments of his delivery.

"It's one of those things where you might throw hard one way when you're 18, and you can throw hard more efficiently when you're 25," Vasil said. "Katz and I are always on the same page with where it all stems from: my lower half. Being able to simplify that into a few drills or something, I think is always big."

⚙️⚙️⚙️

Adrian Houser was placed on the paternity list and his next start will take place on Sunday. Tyler Gilbert was recalled to take Houser's roster spot and Owen White is the 27th man for Thursday.

Sean Burke starts Game 1, followed by Vasil for Game 2. Davis Martin, Aaron Civale and Houser will start in the Toronto series this weekend in that order.

Fedde will start Game 1 for the Cardinals, followed by their 27th man Michael McGreevy starting Game 2.

First pitch: White Sox vs. Cardinals

TV: CHSN

Radio: ESPN 1000 AM

Lineups: