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The Kansas City Royals will attempt to win their seventh straight game Sunday when they take on the Chicago White Sox at US Cellular Field.
James Shields will take the mound for Kansas City. Shields has been just as effective in 2014 as he was last season, posting a 3.44 ERA with a 3.50 xFIP through his first 14 starts of the year. The right-hander is on pace to surrender a few more home runs this year, but has also forced more groundballs.
Andre Rienzo will start for Chicago. The righty has made 19 starts the past two years, compiling a 5.02 ERA with a 5.41 FIP. Rienzo struggles with his control, walking over 10% of the batters he has faced in the majors.
Norichika Aoki has the day off, so Jarrod Dyson is leading off and playing centerfield. David Lesky of Pine Tar Press brings us the Royals lineup:
#Royals lineup vs. Rienzo: Dyson CF Infante 2B Hosmer 1B Butler DH Gordon LF Perez C Cain RF Mousakas 3B Escobar SS Shields P
— David Lesky (@DBLesky) June 15, 2014
Jose Abreu currently sports a .340 .ISO, which is best in the major leagues among qualified hitters. His .ISO is higher than all but two starting Royals' hitters OBP. The White Sox twitter account sent out their order:
Today's starting lineups: pic.twitter.com/66iBy3P23o
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) June 15, 2014
A win today coupled with a Detroit Tigers loss would put the Royals 1/2 game out of first place in the AL Central. I don't understand anything about baseball.