White Sox at Royals
The Chicago White Sox aim for their first 3-0 start since 1992 when they wrap up a three-game road series against the Kansas City Royals on Sunday. The Royals are trying to avoid starting with three straight losses for the second consecutive season.
After slugging six home runs in a 14-7 win on Opening Day, the White Sox won a defensive struggle in the second game of the series. Yoan Moncada homered and Welington Castillo recorded a two-run double during a three-run eighth inning to lift Chicago to a 4-3 win on Saturday. Matt Davidson continued his hot start for the White Sox with a run-scoring single, giving him six RBIs in two games. The Royals’ bullpen has struggled through the first two contests, allowing 12 runs in eight innings.
TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), FS Kansas City
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Reynaldo Lopez (2017: 3-3, 4.72 ERA) vs. Royals RH Jason Hammel (2017: 8-13, 5.29)
Lopez made eight starts for the White Sox last year after a solid campaign at Triple-A Charlotte, where he struck out 131 in 121 innings. The 24-year-old Dominican didn’t miss as many bats in the majors last year, but he has good enough stuff to be a strikeout pitcher. Lopez faced the Royals three times last season and was 2-0 with a 3.44 ERA in 18 1/3 innings.
Hammel is coming off his worst season since his rookie campaign in 2007, and that included getting hit hard in two losses to the White Sox. The 35-year-old struggled to a 4-6 record and a 4.94 ERA in 17 home starts a year ago, allowing 11 home runs at Kauffman Stadium. Hammel is 2-4 with a 5.32 ERA in 12 games (seven starts) against the White Sox.
WALK-OFFS
1. Royals OF Jon Jay has led off with a single and scored in each of the first two games and is 3-for-5 when leading off innings.
2. Moncada is 3-for-6 with a triple and a homer against Hammel and has hit safely in nine straight contests against the Royals.
3. Chicago SS Tim Anderson has a 12-game hitting streak against Kansas City.