Series Preview: Royals (86-72) at White Sox (72-86)

As early as tonight we could know if Kansas City will break the longest postseason drought in North American professional sports. That’s right given what happens between Seattle and Toronto the team could know their fate.

James Shields can push the Royals to the playoffs with a win and Seattle loss today. Photo Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

While a wild card seems likely, let’s not sleep on a division title with how pesky the Twins have been versus the Tigers and say KC wins out this weekend. Here’s what you have to look forward to from pitching match-ups, standings plus TV information and more.

Probable Pitching Match-ups:
Thursday, 7:10 pm – James Shields/RHP (14-8, 3.18) v. Jose Quintana/LHP (9-10, 3.22)
Friday, 7:10 pm – Jeremy Guthrie/RHP (12-11, 4.28) v. Hector Noesi/RHP (8-10, 4.39)
Saturday, 6:35 pm – Danny Duffy/LHP (9-11, 2.32) v. John Danks/LHP (10-11, 4.82)
Sunday, 1:10 pm – Yordano Ventura/RHP (14-10, 3.07) v. Chris Bassitt/RHP (1-1, 3.65)

Comments on Pitching Match-ups – Changing the script on this part for this last weekend by listing each pitchers record in this series.
Game 1: Shields (1-1) L 5-1 on April 6 in Kansas City, W 6-3 on June 15 at Chicago v. Quintana (0-2) L 3-1 on May 21 in KC, L 7-2 on June 13 in CHI
Game 2: Guthrie (2-1) W 7-5 on April 4 in KC, W 7-2 on June 13 in CHI, L 3-1 on July 21 in CHI v. Noesi (0-1) L 9-1 on June 14 in CHI
Game 3: Duffy (1-0) W 9-1 on June 14 in CHI v. J. Danks (0-0) no decisions this season
Game 4: Ventura (1-1) L 7-6 on May 20 in KC, W 6-2 on September 17 in KC v. Bassitt (0-0) no decisions versus the Royals this season. In conclusion Kansas City starters this weekend are 5-3 while Chicago’s are 0-3 for what it’s worth.

Series Predictions – So much at stake this weekend and if you saw the White Sox play at Detroit this week you know they’ll put up some resistance. At the same time at time the White Sox did seem spent at Comerica Park, they will honor Paul Konerko (noted Royals killer) who is retiring this weekend which could provide a boost. Prediction: Royals take three of four

2014 Meetings:
Kansas City is 10-5 versus their Southside foes in 2014 which includes a 8-2 mark over the last 10 games. At U.S. Cellular Field the Royals are 5-1 this season and 12-2 over the previous 14 contest played here. When these teams played at week at the K it was out boys in blue taking 2-of-3 by scores of 4-3 and 6-2 while dropping the middle game 7-5. They won’t face Chris Sale who threw yesterday against the Tigers.

Franchise History:
Chicago holds an all-time advantage of 362-334 against Kansas City which includes a mark of 200-152 in the Windy City and 108-82 at the Cell.

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

AL Central Standings (September 25):
X-Detroit Tigers (88-70, – GB: Magic Number for AL Central title is three)
Kansas City Royals (86-72, 2 GB)
E-Cleveland Indians (83-76, 5.5 GB)
E-Chicago White Sox (72-86, 16 GB)
E-Minnesota Twins (68-90, 20 GB)

AL Wildcard Standings (September 25)
Royals (86-72, – :Magic Number is two for Postseason berth )
Oakland Athletics (86-72, – :Magic Number is two for Wildcard berth)
————————————
Seattle Mariners (83-75, 3 GB: Elimination number is two )
Indians (83-76, 3.5 GB: Elimination number is one)

X = Clinched postseason berth, E = Eliminated

2014 Series Schedule/Results v. White Sox (Royals 10-5)
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 – W 4-3, L 7-5, W 6-2
September 25-28, US Cellular Field

Game Notes:
Chicago White Sox
Kansas City Royals