GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- White Sox left-hander Chris Sale will experiment with some new wrinkles, such as throwing changeups to lefties, when he pitches in a spring game for the first time Friday.
Sale's primary focus when he pitches against the Cleveland Indians in Goodyear, Ariz., will be locating his fastball, however. As good as his slider is, that's where it all begins and ends for Sale.
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"My main focus for this year or any year is fastball command, being able to throw the fastball to both sides of the plate, up and down, in and out,'' Sale said Thursday.
"And then secondary pitches and throwing changeups to lefties and stuff like that.''
Before this year, Sale said he never has thrown a changeup to a lefty. His fastball and slider always have been enough, but it can't hurt to give them something else to think about.
While some teams have used their rotation starters from the first day on the Cactus League schedule, the Sox have waited till the seventh game because of the early start this year. Sale is eager to pitch in a game.
"Anytime you're in a game situation, you're going to get something out of it,'' he said. "I'm going to compete like any other time on the mound.
"I'll be mixing some things in but mostly working on throwing strikes and getting command of the zone.''
Here is the Sox lineup for today against right-hander Justin Masterson:
30 Alejandro De Aza (L) - CF
15 Gordon Beckham - 2B
51 Alex Rios - RF
32 Adam Dunn (L) - 1B
24 Dayan Viciedo - RF
38 Hector Gimenez (S) - C
22 Brent Morel - 3B
20 Jordan Danks (L) - DH
83 Marcus Semien - 2B
40 Chris Sale - LHP


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