Grasping at Straws

Michael Kopech, that right-handed enigma on the mound for the White Sox, lost twenty pounds in the offseason in an effort to get his career back on track. Funny, but I never confused the 27-year old with Lance Lynn. But if Kopech wants to think being lighter will translate into results, good for him. Check that. Two years ago, Lucas Giolito came into camp twenty pounds heavier because he thought he needed the extra muscle. Giolito then went out and posted a 4.90 ERA on the season. Here’s hoping Kopech’s this isn’t Giolito’s that. The essence of baseball can be reduced to six words: See ball, hit ball; throw strikes. The devil is in the details, how to do it. If I were his pitching coach, I’d tell Kopech to treat every pitch like it’s the first pitch in the at-bat. He wants to get ahead of the batter, right? Let the other guy nibble or waste pitches. He’s Michael Kopech, dab gummit, and he knows how to throw strikes. First, one. Then, two. Then….