In the last of a four-game series between the Kansas City Royals (26-22) and the Chicago White Sox (27-23) at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium, Edinson Volquez (5-4, 3.67 ERA) and Chris Sale (9-1, 2.26 ERA) get the ball. The White Sox lost the last game 8-7, extending a five-game losing streak. Kansas City can finish out the series sweep with a win in this game. The game starts at 2:15 p.m. ET on Sunday, May. 29 and will air on CSCh and FSKC.
In his last start, Volquez pitched 6.2 innings, giving up four runs (two unearned), striking out six and walking three in a 7-4 victory over the Twins. Eric Hosmer (.310, 26 Rs, 9 HRs, 29 RBIs, 4 SBs) continued his strong season yesterday, going 2 for 5 with one run, two RBIs, and one stolen base. The White Sox were unsuccessful the last time Sale pitched. He did not do well, pitching 3.1 innings, allowing six runs, striking out seven and walking four in a 6-2 loss to the Indians. Avisail Garcia (.259, 21 Rs, 5 HRs, 18 RBIs, 1 SB) has been hitting the ball well, going 2 for 4 yesterday with two runs, one home run, and three RBIs.
The odds are even for this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable at the moment. Against teams in the AL Central, the Royals have a SU record of 9-8. Kansas City has averaged 0.0 runs per game over the last 10 games, higher than its season average of 0.0. They have been a terror on the base paths, ranking fourth in all of baseball with 36 steals. The most recent 10 game stretch for Kansas City’s pitching staff has gone great. Over that span, Kansas City’s opponents are averaging 0.0 runs per game, below their season average of 0.0.
Against divisional foes, the White Sox are 12-5 SU. During the last 10 games, they averaged 0.0 runs per game, above their 0.0 season average. Chicago’s pitching staff and defense as a whole have been firing on all cylinders so far, ranking fifth in the AL with only 0.0 runs allowed per game.
The Royals are 4-1 against the White Sox this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – CWS
Notes
In their last game, the White Sox lost by a margin of one run. The Royals are 8-5 in one-run games. The White Sox have a 9-9 record in close games.
When leading after seven innings, Chicago is 13-11, while Kansas City is 10-10.
The White Sox managed to give up six walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Royals who are heading in with a 2-0 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the White Sox are 4-18. The Royals have a 4-13 record when opponents outhit them.
Kansas City and Chicago both rank near the bottom of the league in home runs. Kansas City sits at 28th with 40 home runs this season and Chicago ranks 22nd with 46.
Ranking 17th, Chicago is in the bottom half of the league in hits, notching 8.44 per game. Kansas City ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 9.04.
Kansas City and Chicago both rank in the bottom half of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Kansas City sits at 19th with an OPS of .716, and Chicago ranks 20th with an OPS of .712.
The White Sox are 12-15 when they allow at least one home run. The Royals perform similarly when they allow one or more homers with a 14-16 record.
