Chicago White Sox (Wes French) vs. Kansas City Royals (David Cain)
Three Games @ Kauffman Stadium, May 29-31
Wes: ChiSox take two from Crwons—-David: KC wins two at home
Opening Punches
Wes French: The White Sox have had quite the journey the past ten days. First there was the sweep at the hands of the Jays, then the quick two game win streak followed by the historic 20-1 loss, all against Minnesota, then they took two of three from the Pirates at home, which was a blown sweep thanks to Jenks’ awful 9th on Sunday. The Sox then Erupted for 17 runs to crush the Angels on Monday in LA, or Anaheim or wherever they play and got a quality start and win from Colon the next day, about a week after he gave up 8 of the first 20 runs to the twins. Oh yea, they almost dealt for Jake Peavy in the middle there too.
David Cain: The Royals head into the series on a bit of a down swing, losing six of their last ten games. The Royals have dropped to a game under .500 and have slipped to four games back of division leading Detroit. If the Royals have any hope of staying in baseball’s worst divisional race, they have to win this series. Zack Greinke hits the mound for game three against John Danks. After righting the ship in his last start, CG, 1 ER, 8K, the KC ace seems a sure bet. Can you really pick against this guy at this point? The other two games could be a toss up. Gil Meche (2-4 4.55) has been a disappointment for KC fans this year, but says his lower back problem is a thing of the past and he is ready to get back on track. Not this time Gil. Brian Bannister will be the wild card of this series. If he continues to dazzle opposing hitters, this series belongs to the Royals.
Rotation vs. Rotation
Clayton Richard (1-0, 3.55) vs. Brian Bannister (4-1, 2.79)
WF: Richard has been one of the better stories this month for the Sox, throwing two great starts sandwiched around his being involved in the Jake Peavy talks. Richard showed just why San Diego wanted him in SoCal as he threw 13 solid innings in that span, allowing just one earned run and striking out 11, also receiving his first victory of the season. Bannister also has one win over his last two starts, but has allowed seven runs over 12 innings. Look for Richard to keep throwing zeros as he looks to tighten his grip on a rotation spot.
DC: Bannister is coming off a solid start, collecting the only KC win against the I-70 rivals from St. Louis. His six innings and two ER were enough to topple the hot hitting red birds. This will be Bannister’s first start against the Sox this year. Last season he compiled a 0-2 record vs. the Sox.
Richard will be making his fourth start of the season after coming in from the pen. In his last outing, Richard went six innings and struck out eight, picking up his first win. Congrats to Richard on a strong win, but with all due respect, it was against the Pirates. Richard has improved with each start and has lowered his ERA to a respectable number. This start could spell trouble for the promising young starter.
Mark Buehrle (6-1, 2.59) vs. Gil Meche (2-5, 4.55)
WF: Buehrle took a ND the last time out, but was effective, allowing just one run over seven innings. He’s been the steadiest part of a shaky rotation, but mustered just a 1-2 record with a 5.60 ERA in three starts at Kauffman Stadium in 2008. Meche, who hasn’t won since May 3rd (0-3), is coming off of his worst start of the season where he allowed four runs, lasting just 2.1 innings. The Sox offense is hot, so look for Meche to get the hook early again.
DC: This game could get ugly for the Royals. Gil Meche has had one bad outing after another and has yet to look like the $55 million man he was a season ago. Meche has been battered in his 10 starts and his ERA has ballooned to 4.55. He will need to jump on the Sox early and go deep into this game. The bullpen has not done any favors for Gil this season, dating back to the Farnsworth debacle from opening day.
Mark Buehrle gave up a season high 12 hits in his last start against the Pirates. The pirates only managed one ER off of those 12 hits. Buehrle received a no decision for his efforts. The same result he got in his last start against the Royals and Gil Meche. However, Buehrle is 19-8 against the Royals in his career. Make that 20-8
John Danks (4-3, 4.59) vs. Zack Greinke (8-1, 0.84)
WF: Danks comes in on a two game win streak, having bounced back from his three game skid prior to that. He might as well start thinking about putting a new streak together after this game. Greinke has yet to give up a run to the Sox in 15 innings so far this season, including a 17:3 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Plainly put, Greinke owns the pale hose. Danks could make this a pitchers duel, but in the end Greinke goes for win number nine.
DC: If you have been living under a rock all season and are one of the few who haven’t seen Greinke pitch, tune into this one. Greinke has been masterful in his 10 starts and shows no signs of slowing down. In his last start, Greinke pitched his way to his fifth complete game. Think on that for one second. 10 starts, five complete games. Two of the CG went for shutouts. Zack has given up no more than two ER in any outing. What more can be said about the performance of Greinke this season? The guy is a stud on the hill.
John Danks, on the other hand, has been up and down. In his first start of the season against the Royals, Danks was masterful. He went six innings, giving up three hits but allowed no runs. Since then, Danks has been hit pretty well by opposing teams. His last start against the Angels lowered his ERA to 4.59. Danks will need to be perfect on this day in order to beat the red-hot Zack Greinke.
Offense vs. Offense
WF: The Royals come in having hit a respectable .260 as a team in May, with Jose Guillen (.333/17 RBI), Billy Butler (.300/12 RBI) and Mike Jacobs (5 HR/12 RBI) leading the way. KC hasn’t hit any of the Sox starters particularly well as a team, but Mark Teahen has had Mark Buehrle’s number through the years. He’s hitting .474 against him with eight extra-base hits for his career. If the Royals want to steal one from Buehrls on Saturday, it could come via Teahen’s bat.
The White Sox have steadily produced at the plate over the last ten days, hitting .283 as a team while averaging 5.5 runs a game and belting 13 bombs in the eight game stretch (all stats are prior to Wednesday’s finale in Anaheim). Five White Sox, including Konerko, Podsednik, Pierzynski, B. Anderson and A. Ramirez, are all hitting over .276 for the month, while Jermaine Dye has a team high six homers and 18 RBI in May. Jim Thome could be the key to this series for the Sox, especially with slugger Carlos Quentin still ailing. Thome has a career average of .306 against the three Royals starters for the weekend, with a combined six long balls and 12 RBI in just 72 at-bats. If the Sox manage to break through against Greinke on Sunday Dye will more than likely have something to do with it. For his Career, Dye has a .389 avg. with three homers and eight RBI in just 38 at-bats versus Greinke.
DC: DH Mike Jacobs will need to continue to swing the bat well if the Royals have any chance in this series. Jacobs has nine HR this season and seems to be the only Royal with consistent pop in his bat. 2B Alberto Callaspo leads the Royals in batting average (3.06) and has been a steady bat in an offense that fails to score runs (2oo). The only other team in the division to score less, the Sox (189). Mark Teahen is batting .333 against the Sox this season and has to be a factor offensively if the Royals stand a chance. The Royals have proven the old mantra to be true: Pitching wins games. The Royals offense certainly is not helping.
Scores and Outcomes
Game 1
WF: The offense keeps on rolling with Richard as the Sox beat on Bannister. White Sox win, 7-2
DC: Bannister continues his winning ways. Seven strong innings for the win, allowing two runs on seven hits. HR- none for either team. KC wins 3-2
Game 2
WF: Buehrle won’t have his best outing, but Meche helps him out with his continued struggles. White Sox win, 9-6
DC: Buehrle dominates a weak hitting KC lineup. Meche struggles again. HR- Sox, Dye. KC none. Sox win 5-1
Game 3
WF: Greinke continues to dominate the Sox as they continue their string of winning the first two of a series and dropping the last. Royals win, 4-1
DC: Greinke leaves the sox bats clueless. Eight strong innings, one run on 6 hits. KC bats remain quiet but score enough for the win. No HR for either team. KC wins 3-1
