KC Royals Series Preview: Division Leading White Sox Come to Town

By Mike Vamosi | May 26, 2016

Whit Merrifield has been a versitle player since being called up from Omaha by Kansas City playing left, third and second base. Photo Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

The KC Royals return to Kauffman Stadium a 4-2 road trip through Chicago and Minnesota for their second meeting against the White Sox in a week. Despite all the struggles Kansas City has had this season they’re within two games of the division lead.

Last weekend the KC Royals took two of three at US Cellular Field with the big story being Alex Gordon and Mike Moustakas getting hurt in the series finale which our guys lost.

Probable Pitching Match-Ups
Thursday, 7:15 pm – Miguel Gonzalez/RHP (0-1, 4.57) v. Danny Duffy/LHP (0-0, 2.13)
Friday, 7:15 pm – Carlos Rodon/LHP (2-4, 4.47) v. Yordano Ventura/RHP (4-3, 4.81)
Saturday, 1:15 pm – Mat Latos/RHP (6-1, 4.06) v. Ian Kennedy/RHP (4-3, 3.38)
Sunday, 1:15 pm – Chris Sale/LHP (9-1, 2.26) v. Edinson Volquez/RHP (5-4, 3.67)

Comments on Pitching Match-Ups – Neither

Game 1: Gonzalez took the defeat in the middle game last weekend which the Kansas City Royals won 2-1. Duffy was also involved in this pitchers match-up but took a no-decision in his longest outing yet since being put in the rotation.

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Game 2: Rodon out-dueled his counterpart last Sunday at “the Cell” but will the KC Royals offense take advantage of the amount of walks he issues? Ventura looked good at points in his last start but failed to put away Melky Cabrera who broke a 1-1 tie which resulted in Yordano taking the loss.

Game 3: Latos has put up a great record in his first season on the southside but his ERA is probably higher than Sox fans prefer. Kennedy threw alright but didn’t make it deep due to a rain delay in the Twin Cities his last start.

Game 4: Sale looked unbeatable until Cleveland tagged him, how will he bounce back in his next start? He’s put together nice numbers against the boys in blue during his career. Volquez struggled at times on Tuesday versus the Twins which sadly has happened much recently.

Series Outlook – As mentioned it’s been three days since these two rivals last saw one another and we’ll see some recycled pitching match-ups. Todd Frazier was mainly quiet in that series, as was most of the CWS offense during the series. David Robertson and Chicago’s new and improved bullpen earned the save Sunday in the one opportunity they got.

Can the platoon of Jarrod Dyson/Paulo Orlando keep their hot hitting going at home? Will Ben Zobrist 2.0 Whit Merrifield‘s nice start also continue, the rookie has given Ned Yost several options as he’s started at three positions so far (left, second and third). It’s a big series for both teams this weekend, hopefully the Kansas City Royals take another series but Chicago will throw their two best pitchers.

Prediction – Series split 2-2

2016 Meetings
Last weekend the KC Royals won 4-1, 2-1 before dropping game three 3-2. Despite losing the finale, it was a game that if a couple things go different it’s a series sweep.

Franchise History
All-time the Southsiders are 371-351, the Royals hold a lead of 188-165 at home between these teams.

TV/Radio Coverage
FOX Sports Kansas City will broadcast all four games from the K with Ryan Lefebvre and Rex Hudler. Joel Goldberg and Royals Hall of Famer Jeff Montgomery host Royals Live before and after the games.

On the Royals Radio Network (610 Sports in KC) will be Royals Hall of Famer/2007 Ford C. Frick Award winner Denny Matthews who’s joined in the booth by Steve Physioc and Steve Stewart from the city of fountains.

Next: How KC's Walking Dead Offense Rose From The Grave

Game Notes:
Chicago White Sox
Kansas City Royals

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