Chicago White Sox pitcher Carlos Rodon matched a 30-year-old record by striking out the first seven batters to begin a game. Striking out the side is a pretty good way for a pitcher to start a game. Doing it again in the second inning and then adding another one to lead off the third is even better. Chicago White Sox starter Carlos Rodon did exactly that during his outing on Friday night against the Twins in Chicago. Rodon’s feat tied the American League record for consecutive strikeouts to begin a game. In 1986, Joe Cowley fanned the first seven batters he faced in a start, also for the White Sox. The major league record is eight, held by Jim Deshaies (Astros, 1986) and Jacob deGrom (Mets, 2014).

The 23-year-old starter racked up 10 strikeouts over six frames on the evening, allowing three runs on three hits. It was a solid outing to finish Rodon’s second major league season, and one to help Rodon end on a high note after a somewhat up-and-down season. In consecutive starts on September 14 and 19, Rodon surrendered 12 runs over a total of nine innings. He allowed 17 hits in that span, four of them leaving the yard. He came back in a big way on the 25th, however, holding the AL Central-winning Indians scoreless over eight frames. Rodon allowed just two hits and struck out 11 in that contest. Friday’s performance was another step in the right direction. Rodon’s final numbers for the 2016 campaign may not be terribly impressive. He ends with a 9-10 record, 4.04 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 3.11 K/BB ratio in 165 innings, but the lefty has definitely shown signs of the pitcher the White Sox hoped he would be after drafting him third overall in 2014. In fact, before his ugly outing on September 14, he had spun off seven consecutive quality starts.

One way or another, the White Sox will likely need Rodon to step up next season. There has been a lot of talk about the team continuing to listen to potential trade ideas for ace Chris Sale during the offseason. While there’s no guarantee anything will happen, the Sox should probably at least see what other clubs are willing to offer, especially considering the vast weakness of the free agent market. If Sale departs, Jose Quintana easily takes over the role of top dog, and Rodon would suddenly be counted on as the number-two starter rather than a middle-of-the-pack arm. His progress in the second half this year suggests he could be ready to rise to the task. Time will tell if that fantasy becomes a reality.