KC Royals Series Preview: Hoping for a Calmer White Sox Series

It’s post All-Star break time which begins on the south side of Chicago against those pale hoes as our KC Royals look to continue their winning ways. Heading into the break, KC had won eight of their last 10 games while Chicago has been playing better, winning seven of 10 themselves.

The Royals return to U.S Cellular Field for the first time since April where hopefully there’s no repeat of this against the White Sox this weekend. Photo Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

These two feisty foes haven’t seen one another since April when tempers were pretty high and led to suspensions aplenty. Since the last meeting, the Royals have gone 41-30 while the White Sox are 35-37, however they are 11 games back of Kansas City standings wise.

Probable Pitching Match-ups:
Friday, 1:10 pm – Edinson Volquez/RHP (8-4, 3.31) v. Jeff Samardzija/RHP (6-4, 4.02)
Friday, 7:10 pm – Chris Young/RHP (7-5, 3.00) v. John Danks/LHP (4-8, 5.30)
Saturday, 1:10 pm – Jeremy Guthrie/RHP (7-5, 5.36) v. Jose Quintana/LHP (4-9, 3.69)
Sunday, 1:10 pm – Danny Duffy/LHP (3-4, 4.65) v. TBA

Comments on Pitching Match-ups – Both teams get a chance to reset their starting rotations, which will be on display during this four game series at the Cell. It’ll be interesting to see how Samardzija acts, given his role when these two played in previous series this season. It’s unknown who the Sox will throw on Sunday, but everything else looks cut and dry.

Game 1: Volquez gets the ball to start the second half and he led KC during the first 86 games this season winning eight times. As mentioned, the Shark will oppose our Royals once again; last time we saw him, he was hunting Lorenzo Cain when the benches cleared, which hopefully doesn’t occur again.
Game 2: Game two on Friday will see first half surprise Chris Young starting; all his production was unexpected and helpful for a guy that started as a bullpen arm. Danks came into this season as a Royal slayer but is just 1-1 versus our guys so far, although he’s always tough.
Game 3: Guthrie, as we know, had that one stinker on Memorial Day, but outside of that, he’s been alright, which for a four/five starter you take. He’s always pitched well against Chicago since coming to the team. Quintana has been snake bitten when he faces Kansas City, which hopefully continues this series as his career numbers are in KC’s favor.
Game 4: Duffy has been encouraging his last two starts before the ASG break, which hopefully spills into the post break. Chicago hasn’t announced who’ll throw Sunday afternoon whether that pitcher is on their roster or not currently is a mystery.

Series Predictions – There’s a history between these two teams which hopefully is over and we can just see baseball and not a national media narrative. Two series, two brawls which has lead to fines plus suspensions is how you can sum up previous series, or more appropriate KC has won four of six between these two. This was originally a three game series, but if you remember it was a soggy April back when these teams met so we get four this time. Both teams were playing well before the break which should make for a good series, both teams should be motivated to see one another. I’m going to cop out with my prediction since I think these teams each have advantages on the mound. Prediction: Series split

2015 Meetings:
Kansas City took the opening series at Kauffman Stadium which laid the ground work for the “bad blood”. Chicago did take two of three when these two met a second time which included the game where conditions were bad and play continued until the Sox had a chance to take the lead, play was stopped until the next day which they won. KC won 3-2 in 13-innings, lost 3-2 and 5-3 dropping the series. Oddly those last two defeats both came on Sunday, with a resumption and full-game.

Franchise History:
Chicago holds an all-time advantage of 365-341 against Kansas City between these AL Central opponents. The Chisox are 203-156 on the south side which includes at 111-86 record at “the Cell” against the boys in blue.

TV/Radio Coverage:
FOX Sports Kansas City will broadcast all four 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 the 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 (KC 4-2)
April 6-8, Kauffman Stadium: W 10-1, W 7-5, W 4-1
April 23-26, US Cellular Field: W 3-2 F/13, L 3-2, L 5-3
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: What to Watch for in the Second Half