Series Preview: White Sox (68-81) at Royals (81-67)

Well that wasn’t the result you wanted playing against a last place team this weekend at home. Next up is the second to last meeting this season against the White Sox, which is another opportunity against a under .500 team. When these Kansas City last saw Chicago, KC was 48-49 and the ChiSox 47-52 so things have changed a lot.

Chris Sale is scheduled to pitch Wednesday as the Royals welcome the White Sox to Kauffman Stadium for the last time in 2014. Photo Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Here’s what you have to look forward to from pitching match-ups, standings plus TV information and more.

Probable Pitching Match-ups:
Monday, 7:10 pm – John Danks/LHP (9-11, 5.05) v. James Shields/RHP (14-7, 3.13)
Tuesday, 7:10 pm – Chris Bassitt/RHP (0-1, 4.73) v. Liam Hendriks/RHP (0-2, 4.05) or Danny Duffy/LHP (8-11, 2.42)
Wednesday, 7:10 pm – Chris Sale/LHP (12-3, 1.99) v. Yordano Ventura/RHP (12-10, 3.27)

Comments on Pitching Match-ups – Danks, Bassitt and Sale will line-up against Shields, Hendricks or Duffy and Ventura this series. Shields has a 1-1 this season against the pale hoes while Danks is making his first appearance versus the boys in blue. Tuesday Bassitt will face Hendricks or Duffy depending on how his arm is after missing a start last week. Wednesday is a primo match-up with Sale (2-0 versus the Royals this season) taking on Ventura.

Series Predictions – This series falls on the offense and defense cleaning things up from this past weekend. Chicago will want to play the role of spoiler which only adds to the difficulty KC faces. It’s no secret that a sweep is needed however, with one of the AL’s best pitchers going in the finale it makes things that much tougher. Prediction: Royals take two of three

2014 Meetings:
This season Kansas City has taken eight of 12 meetings against Chicago which includes winning two of three back in July. In the last series at U.S. Cellular Field, KC dropped the opener 3-1 with Sale defeating Guthrie. The Royals won the next two by score of 7-1 and 2-1 with Bruce Chen/Wade Davis getting wins.

Franchise History:
Chicago holds an all-time advantage of 361-332 against Kansas City which includes a 180-161 record in the city of fountains. The Royals do have a winning mark at Kauffman Stadium versus the White Sox of 158-150.

TV/Radio Coverage:
FOX Sports Kansas City has all three games this week with Ryan Lefebvre and Rex Hudler describing the action on TV. Joel Goldber and Royals Hall of Famer Jeff Montgomery host Royals Live from Rivals in right field.

Royals Radio Network (610 Sports in Kansas City) has Royals Hall of Famer/2007 Ford C. Frick Award winner Denny Matthews is joined in the booth by Steve Physioc and Steve Stewart describing all the action from the K.

AL Central Standings (September 15):
Detroit Tigers (83-66, – GB)
Kansas City Royals (81-67, 1.5 GB)
Cleveland Indians (76-72, 6.5 GB)
Chicago White Sox (68-81, 15 GB)
Minnesota Twins (63-86, 20 GB)

AL Wildcard Standings (September 15)
Oakland Athletics (83-66, +1.5 GMS)
Royals (81-67, – )
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Seattle Mariners (80-68, 1 GB)
Toronto Blue Jays (77-71, 4 GB)
Indians (76-72, 5 GB)
New York Yankees (76-72, 5 GB)

2014 Series Schedule/Results v. White Sox (Royals 8-4)
April 4-6, Kauffman Stadium – W 7-5, W 4-3, L 5-1
May 19-21, Kauffman Stadium – L 7-6, L 7-6, W 3-1
June 13-15, US Cellular Field – W 7-2, W 9-1, W 6-3
July 21-23, US Cellular Field – L 3-1, W 7-1, W 2-1
September 15-17, Kauffman Stadium
September 25-28, US Cellular Field

Game Notes:
Chicago White Sox
Kansas City Royals