Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals: Series Preview
Apr 18, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (49) pitches in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago White Sox are coming off a series win against the Cleveland Indians, and look to continue their series winning ways as they host the Kansas City Royals for a four-game series on the south side of Chicago. The Royals are coming off a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins where they won two of three.
This will be the second series between the two teams. The Royals swept the White Sox to start the season. However Chris Sale did not pitch in that series and he’ll be opening the series Thursday.
• Season Standings
Kansas City enters the series at 11-4 and tied for the AL Central lead with the Detroit Tigers.
Chicago is 6-8 and in third place in the AL Central.
• Probable Pitchers
Game 1 Thursday, April 23 at 8:10 p.m. ET
Yordano Ventura(2-1) vs. Chris Sale(2-0)
Ventura beat the Sox in Jeff Samardzija’s debut on Opening Day. This will be Sale’s first start against the Royals this year.
Game 2 Friday, April 24 at 8:10 p.m. ET
Danny Duffy (1-0) vs. Jose Quintana (1-1)
Each pitcher gave up five runs in five innings of work the first time they squared off.
Game 3 Saturday, April 25 2015 2:10 p.m. ET
Edinson Volquez (2-1) vs. John Danks (0-2)
Volquez dazzled in his season debut against the White Sox. Danks allowed four earned runs in 5.2 innings, taking the loss in his start against the Royals.
Game 4, Sunday, April 26 at 2:10 p.m. ET
Jason Vargas (1-1) vs. Hector Noesi (0-2)
Vargas in one start against the White Sox last year was torched for seven runs in 4.2 innings.
Next: Preview: Team Leaders
Apr 22, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu (79) high fives teammates after beating the Cleveland Indians 6-0 at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
Offense
Home Runs – Salvador Perez(3)
Batting Average – Lorenzo Cain(.377)
Runs Batted In – Perez(12)
Pitching
ERA – Edinson Volquez(1.99)
Wins – Volquez(2)
Strikeouts – Volquez(17)
Chicago White Sox Team Leaders
Offense
Home Runs – Jose Abreu(5)
Batting Average – Melky Cabrera(.293)
Runs Batted In – Abreu(12)
Pitching
ERA – Jeff Samardzija(3.33)*
Wins – Chris Sale(2)
Strikeouts – Samardzija(17)
*Sale does not qualify for the ERA title yet, but would be leading the team at 2.25.
Next: Preview: News and Notes
Apr 22, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost (3) watches batting practice before the game against the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City News and Notes
• The Royals have hit 13 home runs already this year after hitting only 95 in all of 2014.
• They are leading all of MLB in batting average as a team with .303 average.
• Keep them off the bases: As a team the Royals have stolen 15 bags and they led MLB with 153 last year.
• KC is seventh in MLB in ERA at 3.25.
• Closer Greg Holland is on the disabled lost. Wade Davis has filled in for him.
• Former White Sox outfielder (current Royal) Alex Rios is currently on the disabled list with a broken finger.
Chicago White Sox New and Notes
• Chris Sale is 6-6 with an ERA of 2.61 against the Royals in the past three years.
• In the past week Abreu is batting .360 with three home runs and a triple.
• As a team the White Sox have scored 50 runs. That ranks 24th in all of baseball.
• White Sox starters have only registered six quality starts in their 14 chances this season.
Next: 5 Questions About The Royals