Chris Sale (15-7, 3.07 ERA), seeking his 200th strikeout of the season, gets the start for the Chicago White Sox (68-73) as they go up against Ian Kennedy (10-9, 3.76 ERA) and the Kansas City Royals (73-68) in the last of a three-game series at U.S. Cellular Field. The Royals won the last game 6-5, and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game starts at 2:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sep. 11 and will air on WGN and FSKC.
In his last start, Sale pitched 8.0 innings, giving up two runs and striking out eight in a 5-3 loss to the Tigers. Jose Abreu (.299, 58 Rs, 23 HRs, 90 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run and one RBI. The Royals were victorious over the Twins 11-5 the last time Kennedy pitched. He went 5.1 innings, allowing four runs, striking out six and walking two. Eric Hosmer (.275, 74 Rs, 22 HRs, 90 RBIs, 5 SBs) has been hitting the ball well, going 2 for 3 yesterday with one run, one home run, and two RBIs.
Notes
The Royals won their last game by a one-run margin. In games decided by one run, the White Sox are 21-27. The Royals are 21-20 in close games this season.
The White Sox managed to give up five walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Royals who are coming in with a 16-3 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Royals are 10-48. The White Sox have an 11-52 record when opponents outhit them.
Chicago and Kansas City both rank near the bottom of the league in home runs. Chicago sits at 23rd with 143 home runs this season and Kansas City ranks 27th with 129.
Ranking 30th, Kansas City is at the bottom of the league in walks, notching 345 this season. Chicago ranks near the bottom at 22nd with 402.
When the White Sox hit at least one home run, they are 49-44, well-matched with the Royals who are 51-38 when hitting one or more homers.
