Chicago @ Kansas City preview
Kauffman Stadium
Last Meeting ( Aug 8, 2012 ) Kansas City 2, Chi. White Sox 1
The American League Central-leading Chicago White Sox try for their fourth straight victory Friday when they begin a three-game road series against the Kansas City Royals. Chicago, which is 2 1/2 games ahead of Detroit in the Central, improved to 3-1 on its seven-game road trip as it belted a season high-tying five home runs in a 7-2 win over Toronto on Thursday. The White Sox figure to have even more power in their lineup as Paul Konerko is expected to play after going down with a concussion on Aug. 7.
The Royals were blanked 3-0 by Oakland on Thursday, losing for just the third time in nine contests. Kansas City was unable to complete its fourth three-game sweep of the season but allowed only five runs in the series. Despite the loss, the Royals are 2-0-1 in their last three series.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, CSN (Chicago), FSN (Kansas City)
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH Chris Sale (14-3, 2.60 ERA) vs. Royals RH Luis Mendoza (6-8, 4.37)
Sale is coming off his third consecutive victory, a triumph over Oakland in which he allowed two runs and struck out 11 over 6 2/3 innings. The 23-year-old has won 11 of his last 12 decisions and has yielded two runs or less in 11 of his last 14 starts. Sale has posted two of his last four wins against Kansas City, surrendering a total of three runs over 16 innings.
Mendoza has alternated wins and losses over his last six starts. He emerged victorious at Baltimore on Saturday after yielding three runs and seven hits in six innings. In his previous outing, Mendoza gave up four runs over 7 1/3 frames in a loss at Chicago. The 28-year-old Mexican is 3-3 in seven career games - five starts - against the White Sox.
WALK-OFFS
1. Sale is 7-1 with a 3.41 ERA in 11 road games, including one relief appearance.
2. Chicago DH Adam Dunn, who is tied with Al Kaline and Andres Galarraga for 50th place on the all-time home run list, is one blast away from 400 for his career. Dunn will join 1B Paul Konerko as the only teammates in history to reach the 400-homer plateau in the same season.
3. Kansas City has jumped on its opponents early this month, scoring 16 first-inning runs while allowing only two.