Hopefully his nerves will be calmed down a little bit and he can pitch his game

MIAMI -- Chicago White Sox left-hander Carlos Rodon reached 100 mph with his fastball in his most recent start, Saturday against the Baltimore Orioles.Now Rodon, a native of Miami who is of Cuban ancestry, is headed straight toward his hometown team like, well, one of his breathtaking fastballs.Rodon (2-8, 4.49 ERA) will take on Miami right-hander Andrew Cashner (4-8, 4.96 ERA) in the series opener at Marlins Park on Friday.The Marlins (60-54) own a better record than the White Sox (54-60), who lost 2-1 to the Royals in Kansas City on Thursday night.Rodon, though, can be an equalizer if he is on his game.He moved to North Carolina in time for high school. Rodon threw a no-hitter as a junior, won a state title as a senior and signed with North Carolina State, turning down an offer from the Milwaukee Brewers, who drafted him in the 16th round.College proved to be a wise choice for Rodon, who became the first Atlantic Coast Conference player to win that leagues Pitcher of the Year award as a freshman, going 9-0 with a 1.57 ERA. He finished third nationally in strikeouts.He followed that in 2013 by leading N.C. State to its first College World Series since 1968, setting the Wolfpacks single-season record as a sophomore with 184 strikeouts.As a junior, he broke the schools record for career strikeouts, and the White Sox were convinced, drafting him third overall in 2014 -- and that is where the tie-in with Miami continues.The Marlins, who picked second in 2014, had a chance to draft the hometown hero, the college-ready pitcher.Instead, the Marlins opted for a high school pitcher, hard-throwing right-hander Tyler Kolek, who has yet to move past low Class A ball and is out for the year due to elbow surgery.Rodon, meanwhile, made his major league debut last year, going an impressive 9-6 with a 3.75 ERA.This season, Rodon went on the disabled list on July 9 due to a sprained left wrist. That injury has put a damper on his year. The 23-year-old returned to action July 31, but he has not won a road game since April 13.Last Saturday, in just his second start back from the DL, Rodon seemed to recapture his standout form, allowing just five hits and one run in six innings while striking out seven.Even in that first inning, he reared back and had some velocity, White Sox manager Robin Ventura said after the game. That was very impressive. His slider was great -- it had a lot of break.This was one of his better games, being able to go deep in a game and keep a lineup like that off balance. He has great stuff.Ventura was asked about Rodons enthusiasm and fire on the mound.He has that fire, although sometimes its directed at the water cooler, Ventura said. You just hope he can direct it toward home plate.If Rodon can do that on Friday, he could be a load for the Marlins, who are suddenly struggling at the plate. Miami, shut down by the San Francisco Giants this week, has not scored in 17 consecutive innings.The Marlins also have scored just two runs in their past 25 innings, and that is a big reason why they dropped two out of three games against the Giants.Miamis offense -- which has been shut out five times since the All-Star break -- should see the return of right fielder Giancarlo Stanton on Friday. He did not start on Wednesday, largely due to a sore hip. He did serve as a pinch hitter, flying out to center.The Marlins could use help from power-hitting first baseman Justin Bour, who has been on the disabled list since July 5. Originally, the diagnosis called for a quick return, likely two weeks, but Bour has had setbacks.At this point, (Bours injury) has gone from his ankle to different areas, Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. His Achilles has been bothering him, and he has had trouble moving.Without Bour, the Marlins are using a platoon of Chris Johnson against left-handers and Derek Dietrich against right-handers. Johnson is likely to start Friday.Cashner, acquired from the San Diego Padres at the trade deadline, will be making his fourth appearance for the Marlins, although he has yet to win a game for Miami.He was solid in his first start (six innings, one run), got rocked in his second start (five innings, seven runs) and gave up the winning hit when used in an emergency relief role in the 14th inning on Monday against San Francisco.Now he aims to match Rodon, the prodigal son of Miami, pitch for pitch when they square off Friday night.In other story lines:--Ventura said he is not changing closers despite the fact that David Robertson blew two save chances earlier this week.--White Sox right-hander Miguel Gonzalez, who started on Thursday night against the Royals, departed after just 21 pitches due to a strained groin. As a result, the Chicago bullpen enters the Friday game depleted after picking up eight innings Thursday. Bobby Orr Jersey . -- Mike Smith never saw his first NHL goal go in. John Moore Jersey . PAUL, Minn. http://www.thebostonbruinshockey.com/cam-neely-hockey-jersey/ .B. - Sebastien Auger made 44 saves as the Saint John Sea Dogs edged the visiting Acadie-Bathurst Titan 2-1 on Saturday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Derek Sanderson Bruins Jersey . Listen to the game live on TSN Radio 1050 at 7pm et. The Raptors traded Rudy Gay, Quincy Acy and Aaron Gray to the Sacramento Kings on Monday, in exchange for Greivis Vasquez, John Salmons, Patrick Patterson and Chuck Hayes. Jakub Zboril Bruins Jersey . -- Ohio States Urban Meyer has never had any issue acclimating to the biggest stages in college football.TORONTO - As the Blue Jays played the Orioles in the opener of a four-game series Thursday evening, Friday nights starter was making his way to Toronto from Portland, Maine. Sean Nolin, a 23-year-old lefthander who was the clubs sixth round pick in the 2010 draft, will make his major league debut. "Super excited," said Nolin, who arrived shortly after the Blue Jays 12-6 win over Baltimore and addressed the media almost immediately. "(Pitching in the major leagues) is something Ive wanted to do since I was probably five years old and Im happy to be here." It was a whirlwind day. Nolin was informed of his call up while sitting in the dugout as his New Hampshire Fisher Cats teammates were playing Portland. He quickly packed, made the two hour drive from Portland to Boston, caught a flight to Toronto and arrived at Rogers Centre shortly after 10 oclock. There will be no rest for the weary. Nolin couldnt predict how well, if at all, he would sleep but when he arrives at the park on Friday catcher J.P. Arencibia will be waiting for him. They have a game plan to discuss. "I got to catch him last year when I was rehabbing in the (Florida) State League for the playoffs," said Arencibia. "Hes got good stuff. The biggest thing to know is youre here for a reason, you belong here. Hes got great stuff. Its just now about going out there and playing. Its the same exact game, no different, its just relaxing and trusting your abilities. God gave him some gifts, just use them." Nolin features four pitches: fastball, changeup, curveball and slider. In three starts with New Hampshire, Nolin is 2-0 with a 1.17 ERA. Hes struck out 16 hitters in 15 1/3 innings. All the more impressive considering Nolin missed the first month of the season rehabbing an injury. Nolins parents, Edward and PPatricia, will be in attendance Friday night after making the 10-hour drive from their Long Island home.dddddddddddd Theyd drive but they dont yet have their passports. "Thats on them," Nolin joked. Casey Janssen reflected on his major league debut, also against Baltimore, on April 27, 2006. "I was kind of in awe," said Janssen. "You think all that hard work and all the time and efforts that you put into it; of course its a special day. I honestly couldnt wait for it to be over. Hopefully his nerves will be calmed down a little bit and he can pitch his game and pitch to his strengths and treat it as much as he can as if its just another baseball game." Meantime, the Blue Jays will give the ball to Chad Jenkins on Sunday. Jenkins, whos been available out of the bullpen but hasnt been used, hasnt pitched since throwing five effective innings of one run ball in a 12-4 win at Boston on May 12. "Ive been able to throw quite a few pens so my location, I mean I threw a pen the other night, my location feels pretty good, a lot of happier than I thought I was going to be with it," said Jenkins of dealing with the time off. "So, for me, thats kept me fresh and then the fact these past few nights Ive had to mentally lock in that I might actually have to pitch in a game so that right there has helped me visually what I have to get done." EPY GUERRERO PASSES AWAY The Blue Jays held a moment of silence prior to Thursdays game to mourning the death of long-time scout Epy Guerrero. Guerrero is credited with signing more than 40 Latino players who would play in the big leagues. He was responsible for acquiring some of the Blue Jays greatest ever talent, including Tony Fernandez, George Bell and Carlos Delgado. Guerrero died on Thursday. He was 71. ' ' '