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Royals series preview: The Chicago White Sox

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KC hasn’t beaten the White Sox yet. Why start now?

By Josh Duggan

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Chicago White Sox v Detroit Tigers Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images

The Royals have now dropped nine in a row, recalling the halcyon days of far too frequent double-digit losing streaks rendering a fanbase not apoplectic but rather indifferent. Truly caring was a concept reserved for those for whom the last flickers of hope had yet to be extinguished. As the Royals close out April with the worst record in baseball, it seems as though they’re hurtling toward an irrelevance that’s all too familiar.

Of the aforementioned nine consecutive losses, three came at the hands of their opponents in this upcoming four-game set: the Chicago White Sox.

  • Monday, May 1, 7:15 CDT - Dylan Covey vs. Jason Vargas (L)
  • Tuesday, May 2, 7:15 CDT - José Quintana (L) vs. Danny Duffy (L)
  • Wednesday, May 3, 7:15 CDT - Mike Pelfrey vs. Nate Karns
  • Thursday, May 4, 1:15 CDT - Derek Holland (L) vs. Ian Kennedy

White Sox vs. Royals pitching matchups

Pitcher G IP K K% BB BB% ERA FIP xFIP SIERA fWAR rWAR
Pitcher G IP K K% BB BB% ERA FIP xFIP SIERA fWAR rWAR
Dylan Covey 3 14.1 6 9.2 8 12.3 6.91 6.76 5.90 6.00 -0.2 -0.3
Jason Vargas (L) 4 25.2 28 28.9 2 2.1 1.40 1.55 2.35 2.52 1.1 1.2
José Quintana (L) 5 29.1 30 23.3 14 10.9 5.22 4.70 4.47 4.26 0.2 -0.2
Danny Duffy (L) 5 32.0 24 18.6 12 9.3 2.81 3.62 4.84 4.63 0.5 1.0
Mike Pelfrey 2 9.0 3 7.0 5 11.6 5.00 5.77 6.74 6.50 0.0 -0.2
Nate Karns 5 23.0 19 19.2 9 9.1 6.26 6.04 4.10 4.02 -0.3 -0.2
Derek Holland (L) 5 29.0 23 18.9 11 9 2.17 4.10 4.94 4.63 0.4 0.3
Ian Kennedy 5 31.1 28 23.1 14 11.6 2.30 3.79 4.57 4.40 0.4 1.3

Even if the matchups look favorable for the Royals on the surface, Chicago’s hurlers have the luxury of facing the Royals’ weak offense.

White Sox position players

Player Pos PA HR R RBI SB AVG OBP SLG wOBA wRC+ fWAR rWAR
Player Pos PA HR R RBI SB AVG OBP SLG wOBA wRC+ fWAR rWAR
Avisaíl García RF 91 5 15 20 0 .376 .418 .635 .446 197 1.2 1.0
Matt Davidson 3B/DH 54 4 8 14 0 .286 .333 .612 .392 158 0.6 0.6
Leury García (S) IF/OF 57 2 7 6 2 .296 .316 .500 .345 124 0.4 0.4
Omar Narvaez (L) C 39 0 2 3 0 .273 .385 .303 .318 105 0.4 0.2
Tyler Saladino 2B 76 0 7 2 2 .238 .351 .317 .306 97 0.3 0.5
José Abreu 1B 86 2 10 10 0 .269 .337 .410 .328 112 0.2 0.1
Geovany Soto C 32 3 3 7 0 .207 .281 .517 .338 120 0.1 0.0
Todd Frazier 3B/DH 66 2 10 9 2 .175 .273 .368 .280 78 0.1 0.4
Yolmer Sánchez (S) IF 40 1 4 4 0 .231 .250 .436 .279 77 0.1 0.3
Tim Anderson SS 93 2 13 6 2 .211 .237 .311 .239 48 -0.1 0.1
Melky Cabrera (S) LF 81 1 10 7 0 .247 .309 .342 .287 83 -0.3 0.3
Jacob May (S) OF 36 0 2 2 0 .033 .147 .033 .108 -46 -0.6 -0.6
Cody Asche (L) OF 42 0 4 1 0 .077 .143 .077 .113 -42 -0.7 -0.8

It is not news that these Southsiders are probably not particularly good. Sure, they sit atop the division, but this is hardly a squad of worldbeaters. Still, the Royals have been awful and will probably get smoked four more times by these gentle fellows.

All stats courtesy of FanGraphs and Baseball Reference.

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Poll

How will the Royals fare against the White Sox?

This poll is closed

  • 8%
    Royals lose four of four
    (12 votes)
  • 10%
    Royals get swept
    (15 votes)
  • 0%
    Royals don’t win any games
    (0 votes)
  • 12%
    Royals forfeit before the games even start
    (17 votes)
  • 67%
    White Sox feel bad and let the Royals win one game
    (93 votes)
137 votes total Vote Now

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