In the second of a three-game series between the Kansas City Royals (53-59) and the Chicago White Sox (54-58) at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium, Ian Kennedy (6-9, 4.03 ERA) and Jose Quintana (9-8, 2.93 ERA) take the mound. The White Sox won the last game 7-5, and Chicago leads the series 1-0. The game starts at 8:15 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Aug. 10 and will air on CSCh and FSKC.
In his most recent outing, Kennedy pitched 6.0 innings, giving up zero runs, striking out nine and walking four in a 3-2 loss to the Rays. Eric Hosmer (.281, 54 Rs, 15 HRs, 63 RBIs, 5 SBs) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 5 with two RBIs. The White Sox were victorious the last time Quintana pitched. He went 7.1 innings, allowing three runs, striking out three and walking one in a 6-3 victory over the Tigers. Todd Frazier (.213, 62 Rs, 31 HRs, 72 RBIs, 8 SBs) went 1 for 5 yesterday with one run, one home run, and three RBIs.
The odds are even for this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at eight runs. The Royals have a SU record of 23-16 against teams in their division. Kansas City has averaged 4.8 runs per game during divisional play, higher than its season average of 3.9. As for the pitching staff, the Royals don’t give up many hits to opposing batters, ranking fourth in the AL with only 8.5 hits allowed per game.
Against divisional rivals, the White Sox are 19-25 SU. The White Sox are one of the top pitching staffs in the AL, essentially shutting down opponents to the tune of 4.4 runs allowed per game.
The Royals had the upper hand against the White Sox in their previous 10 games this season, earning a 7-3 record. The Royals will take on a left-hander (Quintana) in this game and have an 11-15 record against left-handed starting pitchers this season. The right-handed Kennedy will take the mound against the White Sox, who have a 43-48 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – KC, O/U – Under
Notes
Kansas City has won 43% (21-28) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, Chicago has won 51% (26-25) of its games when taking a late lead.
The White Sox are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Royals have a 19-22 record when opponents give up one walk or less.
When they outhit their opponents, the Royals are 43-16. The White Sox have a 39-8 record when outhitting opponents.
Both falling near the bottom of the league based on total runs this season, Kansas City ranks 27th with 431 runs and Chicago is 26th with 449.
Ranking 30th, Kansas City is at the bottom of the league in walks, notching 253 this season. Chicago ranks near the bottom at 23rd with 320.
When the Royals hit at least one home run, they are 37-32, well-matched with the White Sox who are 40-33 when hitting one or more homers.
