White Sox at Royals
The Kansas City Royals decided they had finally had enough of Tim Anderson having fun at their expense and halted their struggles against the Chicago White Sox in the process. The American League-worst Royals attempt to win consecutive games for the first time this season when they wrap up their five-game home series against the White Sox on Sunday.
Following Chicago's 8-0 victory in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader, things got a bit heated between the two worst teams in the AL Central in the nightcap when Royals catcher Salvador Perez took exception with Anderson's celebration around the bases following his leadoff home run, prompting both benches to clear. "I don't have a problem when a guy hits a homer and takes a step or two and keeps running. But when you start to get loud and say some words, I don't like that," Perez told reporters afterward. The Royals (6-20) countered with three runs in the bottom of the first inning en route to a 5-2 triumph over the White Sox (8-17), who are 5-1 versus Kansas City and 3-16 against every other opponent. Anderson has been a thorn in Kansas City's side in 2018, as three of his four home runs have come against the Royals.
TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), FS Kansas City
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH Hector Santiago (0-0, 3.38 ERA) vs. Royals RH Ian Kennedy (1-3, 3.46)
After making seven appearances out of the bullpen, Santiago is expected to get the nod versus the team he hasn't faced since July while with Minnesota. The native of New Jersey threw a season-high 59 pitches in long relief Tuesday versus Seattle, permitting two hits and a walk across 3 1/3 scoreless innings. Alcides Escobar is 10-for-28 against Santiago, who went 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in three starts versus the Royals in 2017.
Kennedy has been cleared to return after his shortest outing of the season on Tuesday, yielding four runs in three frames against Milwaukee before departing in part because he took a line drive off his right foot. The 33-year-old opened the season allowing a total of two runs over his first three turns spanning 18 innings but has since given up eight earned runs over eight frames. Jose Abreu is 9-for-21 with three home runs against Kennedy, who held Chicago to one run in six innings of a no-decision on March 31.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Royals have allowed an average of 1.5 runs in their six wins and 6.9 in their 20 losses.
2. Chicago's starting pitchers own a 2.53 ERA over the last eight games after posting a 22.24 ERA in their previous four contests.
3. Kansas City OF Jorge Soler has drawn a walk in nine consecutive games, which is the longest such streak in the majors this season and the longest by a Royal since 2000.