Chicago @ Kansas City preview
Kauffman Stadium
Last Meeting ( Jun 29, 2010 ) Chi. White Sox 4, Kansas City 3
The Chicago White Sox are back to their winning ways. They're hoping Jake Peavy continues his.
The White Sox look to post another series victory over the Kansas City Royals tonight when the teams meet at Kauffman Stadium in the rubber game of their three-game set.
After winning 11 games in a row, Chicago dropped two straight before edging Kansas City 4-3 on Tuesday. Juan Pierre and Gordon Beckham each had two hits and an RBI while Gavin Floyd recorded his first career victory over the Royals in six tries, allowing three runs - two earned - and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings.
The triumph was Chicago's seventh in its last eight road games and 16th in its last 19 overall. It also put the White Sox in position to improve upon their 8-0-1 record in their last nine series against the Royals.
Chicago will put its chances on the right arm of Jake Peavy, who has won three consecutive starts and four of his last five.
The 29-year-old Peavy has been nearly untouchable of late, limiting the opposition to six hits without a run in 16 innings over his last two starts. He enters tonight's contest with a 21-inning scoreless streak spanning his last three outings.
On Friday, Peavy held the Chicago Cubs to three hits and two walks over seven innings, striking out a season high-tying nine in a 6-0 win.
Peavy has enjoyed plenty of success against Kansas City, posting a 4-1 record with a 3.77 ERA in five career meetings. This season, the right-hander is 2-0 with a 2.35 ERA vs. his American League Central Division rival.
Peavy will be opposed by reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke.
Despite his 3-8 record, Greinke has pitched well this season, registering a 3.72 ERA and holding opponents to three earned runs or less in 12 of his 16 starts.
Greinke has won each of his last two decisions after losing four in a row. On Friday, the 26-year-old yielded two runs - one earned - and seven hits in eight innings en route to a 4-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.
In 22 career games against the White Sox, including three relief appearances, Greinke is 5-10 with a save. However, he owns a 4-3 mark at home vs. Chicago.
The Royals rallied for three runs in the fifth inning Tuesday but fell one run short, denying them their first three-game home winning streak of the season. Wilson Betemit collected two hits and an RBI and Scott Podsednik had a two-run single.
Brian Bannister lasted just four innings, surrendering four runs and eight hits in having his four-game home winning streak snapped. Kansas City's relief corps excelled, however, as three pitchers combined for five scoreless innings.
Over the last eight games, the Royals' bullpen has allowed just one run in 22 2/3 frames.