Cease did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing two runs on six hits with five walks over six innings in the loss against the Orioles. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

Despite a strong start with a four-run lead in the first inning, Cease's command faltered as he allowed the Orioles to creep back into the game. A crucial error by Jake Burger in the fourth inning allowed Cedric Mullins to hit a base-clearing triple, and Cease's wild pitch in the sixth allowed Gunnar Henderson to tie the game at 4-4. Although the 27-year-old ace was relieved later in the inning and received a no-decision, his 2.02 ERA and impressive 29:12 K:BB reflect his status as a top pitcher. He looks to continue his dominance in his upcoming start against Tampa Bay.

Cease (2-0) earned the win Monday, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks over five innings in a 4-3 victory over the Twins. He struck out six.

EDGE Analysis

Cease clearly didn't have his best stuff on the bump Monday afternoon, but his team handed him four runs of support and it was just enough to bring home the win. The right-hander fired 62 of 98 pitches for strikes and has now fanned 23 batters in his first 16.1 innings of action to kick off the 2023 campaign.

Cease said he was under the weather during his start Wednesday against the Giants, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cease told reporters that he didn't sleep well Tuesday night because of a mild illness and overcompensated with caffeine in the lead up to his afternoon outing on the South Side of Chicago. He issued five walks but tallied eight strikeouts and gave up only one hit -- a solo homer -- en route to a gutty victory versus San Francisco. The 27-year-old should be fully rested by his next scheduled turn in the rotation which lines up for Monday against the Twins.

Cease (1-0) earned the win Wednesday, allowing one run on one hit and five walks over five innings against the Giants. He struck out eight.

EDGE Analysis

The only hit Cease allowed Wednesday was a solo blast from J.D. Davis in the top of the second inning. After not walking a batter Opening Day, the right-hander struggled with his command, but he was able to work around five walks thanks to eight strikeouts. Cease now has 18 strikeouts through his first 11.1 innings of work this season while allowing only three hits and two earned runs. His next start tentatively lines up for Monday in a road matchup against the Twins.

Cease did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing one run on two hits and zero walks over 6.1 innings in a 3-2 win over Houston. He struck out 10.

EDGE Analysis

Cease fired 62 of 86 pitches for strikes Thursday and allowed just two singles and a hit-by-pitch. The right-hander tied a franchise record by recording 10 Opening Day punchouts, and he racked up 15 swinging strikes against the defending World Series champions. Cease broke out with a career-best campaign that earned him second place in AL Cy Young voting last season, and based on his results Thursday, he could be on a trajectory to solidify his place among MLB's best pitchers in 2023.

Cease will start Thursday's Opening Day contest versus the Astros.

EDGE Analysis

Cease will be making the first Opening Day start of his career. When asked about the possibility of doing so last week he said, "it would definitely be special. It would be an honor". Speaking of special, Cease will look to repeat his success from 2022 after he produced a 2.20 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with a 11.1 K/9 last season.

Cease was reaching 97 mph with his fastball in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Athletics, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cease was hit hard in his first spring outing, and his appearance Tuesday also started poorly. He allowed a double, single and walk in the first inning, which allowed two runs to score. However, he ramped up his velocity as compared to his spring debut and also made an adjustment to his slider to improve his command of the pitch in his second inning of work. Cease has had a shaky start to spring training, but he is coming off an excellent 2022 campaign during which he posted a 2.20 ERA and 1.11 WHIP across 184 frames.

Cease allowed 11 earned runs on seven hits and four walks across 0.2 innings to take the loss Wednesday in a Cactus League matchup against the Royals.

EDGE Analysis

Cease completed two scoreless innings in his Cactus League debut March 3, though his second outing was derailed early. He allowed the first five batters he faced to reach base, the last of which was a grand slam by Michael Massey. He was pulled after recording just one out in the first inning but reentered one frame later and didn't fare any better. Cease is coming off an excellent 2022 season, so it's too early to panic despite the incredibly poor outing.

Cease signed a one-year, $5.7 million contract with the White Sox on Friday to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's a massive raise for Cease, who was in his first year of arbitration eligibility. The bump in pay was earned, of course, after the right-hander held a 2.20 ERA and 227:78 K:BB across 184 innings in 2022 to finish runner-up in the American League Cy Young voting.

Cease (14-8) allowed four runs on five hits and four walks while striking out five in five-plus innings, taking the loss Saturday versus the Padres.

EDGE Analysis

Cease had quality starts in five of his last six starts entering Saturday. He didn't meet that mark, allowing a solo shot to Juan Soto and a two-run home run to Jake Cronenworth. Austin Nola tacked on an RBI single after Cease left the game with two on and no out in the sixth inning. Despite the disappointing finale, the 26-year-old right-hander established himself among baseball's elite pitchers in 2022. He ends the campaign with a 2.20 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and a career-high 227 strikeouts in 184 innings across 32 starts.