The Chicago White Sox have announced their Opening Day starter for the 2026 season, with right-hander Shane Smith getting the nod from manager Will Venable. Ironically, the start comes against his former team, the Milwuakee Brewers.
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Smith, 25, was the No. 1 overall pick in the Rule 5 Draft in the 2025 offseason and was the White Sox’s lone All-Star last season, going 7-8 with a 3.81 ERA in 29 starts. Right-hander Sean Burke was the White Sox Opening Day starter last season, pitching six scoreless innings of three-hit baseball, hitting one batter, striking out three, and earning the win.
On the bump for Opening Day 🫡 pic.twitter.com/L8uRawDtjn
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) March 8, 2026
Shane Smith is the Chicago White Sox Ace, with manager Will Venable starting him on Opening Day
Even though he has one season under his belt, Smith is clearly the “Ace” of the White Sox starting staff, with a decent supporting cast surrounding him. Right-handers Erick Fedde, Davis Martin, and Burke will follow Smith in the rotation, with left-handers Anthony Kay and maybe Sean Newcomb offering left-handed options to round things out.
Smith’s struggles didn’t affect Venables decision to make him the Opening Day starter — having a 5.79 ERA, allowing four runs (three earned), two walks (two hit batters) in 4.2 innings. According to FanGraphs, they project Smith will go 7-8 with a 3.98 ERA and make 28 starts, and strike out 140 in 144.0 innings in 2026.
Being asked to be the ace in his second season in Major League Baseball is a lot of pressure to put on a former Rule 5 pick, but Smith and his calm demeanor appear to be up to the task.
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