White Sox at Royals (Game 2)
Matt Davidson looks to continue his assault against Kansas City pitching when the Chicago White Sox visit the Royals on Saturday for a doubleheader that is part of a five-game series. Davidson went deep twice on Friday for the second straight game and has belted seven homers at Kauffman Stadium this season, breaking the single-season record by an opponent.
Davidson's power surge in Kansas City has come in just four games and he surpassed three players who hit six shots - Jacque Jones (2002), Jose Valentin (2003) and Carlos Santana (2014). The 27-year-old also became just the fifth player in franchise history to have back-to-back multi-homer performances, joining Zeke Bonura (1934), Greg Norton (1999), Joe Crede (2008) and Carlos Quentin (2010). Davidson's second blast on Friday was a tiebreaking two-run shot in the 11th inning of a 7-4 victory as the White Sox won for just the fourth time in 18 games and improved to 4-0 against Kansas City this season. Chicago is just 7-16 on the campaign while the Royals have lost 14 of their last 16 to drop to an American League-worst 5-19.
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), FS Kansas City
PITCHING MATCHUP: TBA vs. Royals LH Eric Skoglund (0-2, 8.59 ERA)
Chicago hasn't announced a starter for the second contest of the doubleheader, so it would be no surprise to see it dip into Triple-A Charlotte's rotation for a designated 26th man. Right-hander Dylan Covey (2-1, 2.95 ERA) hasn't pitched since Sunday, but the 26-year-old struggled while with the White Sox last season by going 0-7 with a 7.71 ERA in 18 appearances (12 starts). Another possibility is 28-year-old right-hander Donn Roach (3-0, 1.88), who last started on Monday, but only two of his 21 major-league appearances have come in a starting role.
Skoglund has been roughed up in each of his previous three starts this season and has allowed opposing batters to hit .300. The 25-year-old lost to Detroit in his last turn as he gave up four runs and four hits over five innings. Skoglund lasted just three frames in his lone career start against the White Sox as he surrendered three runs - two earned - and five hits on Sept. 13.
WALK-OFFS
1. White Sox 1B Jose Abreu (flu-like symptoms) was back in the lineup Friday after a one-game absence and went 1-for-5.
2. Kansas City 3B Mike Moustakas has recorded two hits in each of the first two games of the series and at least one hit in 17 of his last 18 contests.
3. Chicago LF Nicky Delmonico (neck) has missed the first two games of the series but is expected to be available on Saturday.