White Sox at Royals (Game 1)
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: 2:15 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), FS Kansas City
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Carson Fulmer (1-1, 6.00 ERA) vs. Royals RH Trevor Oaks (NR)
Fulmer is coming off his best performance of the season as he gave up two runs and three hits over six innings while defeating Seattle. The 24-year-old drew that start due to Miguel Gonzalez being scratched due to shoulder issues as he lost his rotation spot after giving up four runs, five hits and two walks while recording just three outs in an April 18 outing against Oakland. Fulmer took the loss in a three-inning relief stint on August 11, 2016 in his lone career appearance versus the Royals as he gave up two runs and three hits.
Oaks is being recalled from Triple-A Omaha to make his major-league debut after going 1-2 with a 3.09 ERA in four starts. The 25-year-old was a three-time Division II All-American at Cal Baptist in Southern California and will be the first player in that school's history to participate in the majors. Oaks, who was acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the offseason, is 32-15 with a 3.26 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 84 minor-league appearances (70 starts).
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 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.