The Kansas City Royals have the American League Central crown in the bag, but they still need to pick up wins if they want to assure themselves of home-field advantage in the postseason. Don’t expect the Chicago White Sox to just bend over and give them a victory, though, when they send Royals-killer, John Danks to the mound for the series finale later tonight.
Meanwhile, click here for our preview of tonight’s other top game, the Angels vs. Rangers.
[sc:MLBArticles ]Kansas City Royals vs. Chicago White Sox Preview
Where: U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago
When: Thursday, October 1, 2015, 8:05 PM ET
Line: Kansas City Royals vs. Chicago White Sox – view all MLB lines
Betting on the Kansas City Royals
[sc:MLB240banner ]The last time Kris Medlen (5-2, 4.30 ERA) faced the White Sox, the converted reliever was knocked around good by a Chicago offense in a 12-1 Kansas City home loss on September 4. Medlen is looking for some measure of vengeance later tonight when he takes on the White Sox anew in his last start of the season.
In his previous start against the South Siders, Medlen just didn’t have it, as he was tagged for seven earned runs on 11 hits in five plus innings of work. Medlen also was rocked hard in his most recent assignment, a 9-5 loss in Cleveland on September 26. Against the Tribe, Medlen yielded six earned runs on nine hits in just 3.2 innings on the mound. Medlen has been terrible at Kauffman Stadium this year, where he has season numbers of 1-2 record and 6.99 ERA in six games played there.
It’s a completely different story, though, when Medlen toes the rubber away from Kansas City. So far this season, Medlen is 4-0 with a 1.13 ERA in eight games played on the road.
The Royals offense, meanwhile has been generous to Medlen for most of the season. In fact, Medlen receives 6.39 RS/9, the most for a Royals starter this year.
Mike Moustakas is batting 8-for-22 (.364) in his last six games. Lorenzo Cain has been doing well of late, too, as he is 9-for-27 (.333) over the same span.
Kansas City is 3-0 in Medlen’s last three road starts.
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Betting on the Chicago White Sox
At this point of the season, the White Sox are simply looking to get as many wins as they can before ending another fruitless campaign. That said, it wouldn’t hurt John Danks (7-14, 4.53) and the White Sox if they can take down the eventual AL West titlist one more time this season.
Danks was unlucky in his last start. The eight-year veteran pitched for six innings, surrendering only two earned runs on six hits, albeit in a 2-1 loss at Yankee Stadium on September 26. The ineptitude of the White Sox’s offense has been a frequent problem for a team that is averaging 3.88 runs per game, 27th in the MLB.
That wasn’t the case though for Danks and the White Sox on their 12-1 win over Kansas City on September 4. Danks enjoyed a big run cushion in that game and pitched for nine innings, wherein he allowed just an earned run on seven hits. Danks is a master when pitching against Royals, as he is 10-2 with a 2.57 ERA in 21 career starts opposite Kansas City. Furthermore, Danks has held some of the Royals’ big bats in check in previous encounters.
Mike Moustakas is hitting just .188 against Danks. Ben Zobrist and Salvador Perez, meanwhile, are .154 and .143 in the same matchup, respectively.
Writer’s Prediction
Chicago wins, 4-2.
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