Chicago @ Kansas City preview
Kauffman Stadium
Last Meeting ( Sep 11, 2018 ) Chi. White Sox 3, Kansas City 6
The Kansas City Royals are on their way to a last-place finish in the American League Central and perhaps a historically bad campaign, but they’re showing reasons for optimism down the stretch. The Royals will try to continue their September surge when they host the Chicago White Sox for the finale of their three-game series on Wednesday.
Kansas City clinched its fourth series win in its last six tries with a 6-3 win over the White Sox on Tuesday, improving to 11-5 over that stretch. The Royals have captured seven straight at home, where they are 16-10 since the All-Star break. The White Sox are trending in the opposite direction – they’ve been outscored 46-16 during their seven-game losing streak, which is one shy of their longest skid of the season. Chicago has scored four runs or fewer in eight consecutive games, batting .205 as a team over that span.
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, FS Kansas City
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH Carlos Rodon (6-5, 3.11 ERA) vs. Royals LH Eric Skoglund (1-5, 6.45)
After a dominant string of nine consecutive quality starts, Rodon has struggled in his last two outings, allowing nine runs - eight earned - over 11 innings in consecutive losses. The 25-year-old failed to get through five frames for the first time all season in his last start against the Los Angeles Angels. Rodon is 2-2 with a 3.90 ERA in five starts against the Royals, all of which took place in 2016.
Skoglund returned from the disabled list to throw two scoreless innings of relief Friday at Minnesota, working around two hits and a walk. The 25-year-old will make his first major-league start since May 25 at Texas and is looking for his first win since April 28 against the White Sox. Skoglund is 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA in two meetings with Chicago.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Royals have recorded 47 stolen bases since the All-Star break, which ties them with Cleveland for most in the majors.
2. The White Sox need to win seven of their remaining 17 games to avoid the fourth 100-loss season in franchise history and first since 1970.
3. Kansas City starters have allowed fewer than three earned runs in 14 of their last 18 contests.
PREDICTION: White Sox 6, Royals 4