Cubs 8, White Sox 1: North Side tops South Side in Opener

The White Sox opened Cactus League play on Friday afternoon with hopes of starting fresh and erasing the 2023 disaster. The game did not get off to an ideal start, as veteran reliever Jesse Chavez allowed six earned runs in the first inning, which was more than enough to secure the victory for the north-siders. The remaining White Sox pitchers, led by Joe Barlow and Alex Speas, held the Cubs to just two runs for the rest of the ballgame, but the bats were quiet, mustering up just four hits. The lone bright spot on offense was an opposite-field longball from Tim Elko in the second inning. Dominic Fletcher and Oscar Colas both had a hit in their Spring Debut as the competition for the right field job gets underway.

With the loss, the White Sox dropped to 0-1 to begin the Cactus League schedule.

W: Jordan Wicks (1-0) | L: Jesse Chavez (0-1)

Offensive Recap

• Tim Elko: 1-3, HR (1), RBI
• Dominic Fletcher: 1-2
• Oscar Colas: 1-2

Pitching Recap

• Jesse Chavez: 1 IP, 6 ER, 6 H, BB, 2 K
• Alex Speas: 1 IP, 0 ER, BB, 0 H, K
• Joe Barlow: 1 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, BB
• Nick Padilla: 1 IP, 0 ER, 0 H
• Johan Dominguez: 1 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 2 K

Game Highlights