Chicago @ Kansas City preview
Kauffman Stadium
Last Meeting ( May 15, 2010 ) Chi. White Sox 5, Kansas City 4
Alberto Callaspo continues to do his thing and, if he keeps it up, he just might find himself in Anaheim representing the Kansas City Royals at the All-Star Game.
The third baseman is hitting over .300 (again) and showing a power stroke that taken his game to a new level. The 27-year-old has been a great addition to the lineup since the Royals acquired him from the Arizona Diamondbacks before the 2008 season.
After batting .220 in 79 games in two years with Arizona, Callaspo is getting better with time. He is hitting .310 with six home runs with 22 RBIs and is on a hot streak, getting a hit in 11 of his last 12 games (19 for 56 for a .339 clip) heading into today’s rubber match with the White Sox.
The average isn’t all that surprising considering he hit .305 and .300, respectively, in the previous two years with the Royals, but the six home runs are a sign of him growing in to the hitter that he apparently has replaced.
The Royals have been waiting for Alex Gordon to be their third baseman for next decade, but he started the season injured, came back and didn’t hit. He now finds himself in Triple-A Omaha while Callaspo has found an everyday position instead of bouncing around the infield.
Kansas City has been looking an answer at third base since George Brett left the game, and while Callaspo isn’t Brett, he’s no Gordon, either.
Brian Bannister (1-3, 5.18) takes the mound today with hopes of giving the Royals their first winning series under new manager Ned Yost.
The White Sox counter with right-hander Gavin Floyd, who seems to be nothing like the pitcher that went 17-8 in 2008. After going 11-11 in 2009, Floyd is 1-3 with a 6.92 ERA.
Chicago needs to get Floyd, and just about everyone else taking the mound other than Jake Peavy, turned around if there is going to be a run at the American League Central title.
The Minnesota Twins are playing very well and show no signs of slowing down and the White Sox already trail by seven games.
The offense hasn’t exactly been all that great either, with Gordon Beckham (.194, 1 HR, 6 RBIs), Alexei Ramirez (.231, 2 HR, 12 RBIs) and Carlos Quentin (.180, 4 HR, 20 RBIs) being the biggest culprits.