Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals: Game 3 Preview
• Location: Kauffman Stadium
• Records: White Sox (0-2), Royals (2-0)
• First Pitch Time: 2:10 p.m. ET (1:10 p.m. CT)
• Where to Watch: CSN, MLB.TV (Out of Market), MLB Extra Innings (Out of Market)
• Audio: WSCR 670, WRTO 1200, MLB Audio
• Game Time Weather: 67 degrees, chance of thunderstorms
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• Pitching Matchup:
(White Sox): John Danks, LHP vs. (Royals) Edinson Volquez, RHP
In a look at Danks for his career against the Royals, he’s 7-0 with a 2.43 ERA and 70 strikeouts. Dare I write the White Sox are lucky to have Danks starting this game on Thursday afternoon?
I think I just did. We’ll see how this turns out for the lefty.
Eric Hosmer is a bater to watch against Danks, as he has a .368 average against the White Sox highest paid player, with one RBI in 19 at-bats.
Salvador Perez has one career home run against Dansk in his career as well, being the only current Royal who has a homer against him.
Volquez is 0-1 lifetime against the White Sox with a 9.64 ERA and three strikeouts in 4.2 innings. This is the first time Volquez has made a regular season start with the Royals. Last season Volquez pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates. In ’14 he was 13-7 overall with a 3.04 ERA.
Mar 12, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman Adam LaRoche (25) slides in at home plate against the San Francisco Giants at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
• Pick to Click:
Adam LaRoche, DH
The new White Sox designated hitter has faced Volquez 10 times during his career, with LaRoche batting .300 against the RHP with one home run and two RBIs.
• AL Central Standings:
Detroit Tigers: 2-0
Kansas City Royals: 2-0
Cleveland Indians: 1-1
Chicago White Sox: 0-2
Minnesota Twins: 0-2
• Pregame Thoughts:
One aspect of this third and final game of the series is if the tensions of the first two games will carry over. The White Sox pitchers have hit the Royals with a pitch five times in two games, and a couple times the Royals have responded.
Both teams were issued warnings early on Wednesday night, so there is a chance it could be finished, but if both pitchers start to go inside, don’t be surprised to see the umpiring crew issue the early warning yet again.
Though the Pick to Click was LaRoche, also watch out for Melky Cabrera who is batting .273 for his career against Volquez, with one home run and three RBIs in 11 at-bats.
Though this is by far not a “must-win” situation, it would be in the White Sox best interest to not be swept for the first series of the season, but like I wrote following last night’s 7-5 loss to KC, this is no time to worry.
Next: 10 hits not enough in White Sox loss