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Levine: Jeff Samardzija, David Robertson Ready For Opener Despite Marginal Spring Results

By Bruce Levine--

GLENDALE, Ariz. (CBS) -- The White Sox's two highest-paid pitchers, right-hander Jeff Samardzija and closer David Robertson, completed their Cactus League season Wednesday with marginal results. Both pitchers gave up home runs in their first inning of work. Samardzija surrendered a long ball the first of his four innings, and Robertson gave up a two-run blast in his one-inning stint.

Despite a rough spring for both pitchers, they appear to be ready for the championship season that begins in earnest Monday with the opener in Kansas City.

"I throw a lot of fastballs and have given up some home runs (nine this spring)," said Samardzija, who had an 8.44 ERA this spring. "For me, it's the wind-blowing-out rule, meaning just give up solos. As long as I am attacking the zone -- I don't think I gave up a walk all camp. That is where I want to be, not giving up walks is a big part of it. As long as I am in control of the zone with my stuff, that's where I want to be."

Samardzija is close to correct about his walk total. He allowed only two walks in five Cactus League starts while striking out 18 batters. He will make his third straight Opening Day start and first for the White Sox.

"We have high expectations in this clubhouse," Samardzija said. "As a group of guys, it has been fun to watch the room come together. I know for a fact that we are all excited to get on a plane with just these 25 guys who will be on the team. You see a lot of confident guys that are ready to do what they are here to do."

Robertson was dealing with a sore forearm this spring but has declared himself fit with two outings in the last three days. He had an 8.10 ERA in the spring.

"I felt really good out there today," Robertson said. "I worked on a few pitches I had not worked on and ended up giving a walk and home run, but it's spring training. I needed to polish off some pitches and get ready to go."

Robertson will be paid $11 million for each of the next four seasons. Samardzija will get $9.76 million in his final season before free agent status kicks in. Expectations are big for both, and they are ready to live up to them.

"I feel great right now and I am ready for the season," Robertson said. "I feel as good as I have all spring and ready for the season. I believe we are a playoff-caliber team. Now it's about going out there, winning enough games and getting there."

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.

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