Kansas City Royals Series Preview: White Sox Come to Town

After a 20-10-1 spring, your AL Champion Kansas City Royals open the season at Kauffman Stadium against the Chicago White Sox. Monday afternoon the team will receive their rings, while raising the AL pennant in front of the home crowd.

Their opening opponent the White Sox had a busy offseason making several trades and a couple free agent acquisitions. These team met during the final weekend on the south side where KC ended their postseason drought, while also taking three of four at US Cellular to conclude 2014’s regular season.

Yordano Ventura gets the ball on Opening Day at Kauffman Stadium versus the White Sox. Photo Credit: Tannen Maury/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports

Probable Pitching Match-ups:
Monday, 3:10 pm – Jeff Samardzija/RHP v. Yordano Ventura/RHP
Wednesday, 7:10 pm – Jose Quintana/LHP v. Danny Duffy/LHP
Thursday, 1:10 pm – John Danks/LHP v. Edinson Volquez/RHP

Comments on Pitching Match-ups – Blend of old and new names that’ll be starting this series at the K. Royals fans are familiar with Smardzija who comes over from Oakland in addition to Quintana plus Danks. Ventura coming off a new contract makes his first opening day start with Duffy and newcomer Volquez behind him.
Game 1: Of the three games this is in my opinion is the most appealing match-up given who’s starting on both sides.
Game 2: Both teams are counting on their game two starters to improve on what each did in 2014, can Duffy make the long awaited jump almost a year after Tommy John surgery?
Game 3: Danks versus Volquez finishes off this opening series, it’ll be the first start for the KC’s newest pitcher.

Series Predictions – First thing to make clear, once the pregame festivities end at Kauffman Stadium it’s time to put the great memories of 2014 behind and focus on 2015. These ChiSox on paper look real good and no doubt want to start strong against a team that could start on an emotional hangover of last season. I honestly like who out boys in blue are starting this series over what Chicago will. Prediction: Royals take two of three

2014 Meetings:
Last season Kansas City went 13-6 against Chicago but were only 5-4 at home against the Pale Hoes at the K.

Franchise History:
Chicago holds an all-time advantage of 363-337 against Kansas City between these AL Central foes. KC leads 160-151 in games played at Kauffman Stadium.

TV/Radio Coverage:
FOX Sports Kansas City will broadcast all three games with Ryan Lefebvre and Rex Hudler on the call. FSKC will televise the ring and raising of the 2014 AL Champions banner during Royals Live which is hosted by Joel Goldberg and Royals Hall of Famer Jeff Montgomery from Rivals in right field.

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

2015 Series Schedule/Results v. White Sox
April 6-8, Kauffman Stadium
April 23-26, US Cellular Field
July 17-19, US Cellular Field
August 7-9, Kauffman Stadium
September 4-6, Kauffman Stadium
September 29-October 1, US Cellular Field

Game Notes:
Chicago White Sox
Kansas City Royals

Next: Kansas City Royals Questions for the 2015 Season