OAKLAND -- After three straight hard-fought, one-run games, a couple of the White Sox newly acquired veterans were not in the starting lineup for the final game of their season-opening series in Oakland. Center fielder Austin Jackson and shortstop Jimmy Rollins got a breather.
It's been well documented that the White Sox have a difficult early schedule, with 10 of 13 on the road to start the season and only one off-day in April. With that in mind, manager Robin Ventura was matter-of-fact when discussing the lineup changes.
"There's a couple different reasons for doing it," said Ventura. "Get those guys a blow here and get ready to go for a big stretch."
Rollins, in particular, has fared well in his return to the East Bay; he's an Oakland native. Rollins drove in a run in each of his first three games with the White Sox, hitting the game-winning home run in the ninth inning on Tuesday. But at 37, more frequent days off will start becoming the norm for the former MVP.
Adam Eaton moved over from right field to start in center, and Tyler Saladino got his first start of the season at shortstop. Avisail Garcia started in right field, getting his first playing time in the field after being the designated hitter for the first three games.
"[Garcia's] never really been a DH, so we want to at least get him out there, get moving around," Ventura noted. "He's better off when he's moving around."