The Kansas City Royals are aiming to maintain their momentum against the Chicago White Sox as they clash in the second game of their four-game series. Riding on the strength of their lineup, particularly Maikel Garcia and Bobby Witt Jr., who have both showcased their power with multiple home runs, the Royals are looking to extend their dominance.
Garcia, leading off, leads the team with three homers, while Witt, batting second, boasts impressive stats, ranking in the top five in the league with eight extra-base hits, an .893 slugging percentage, and a 1.393 OPS. The Royals capitalized on White Sox errors in the previous game, exploding for eight runs in the seventh inning and securing a convincing 10-1 win to kick off the series.
MJ Melendez and Nelson Velazquez contributed to the offensive display with home runs, adding to Kansas City’s tally of 11 homers in seven games, placing them second in the American League behind the Houston Astros. Pitcher Brady Singer, coming off a stellar seven shutout innings in his last outing, aims to continue his strong start to the season.
However, Singer has had mixed results against the White Sox in the past, particularly struggling in his recent encounters. Eloy Jimenez, in particular, has had success against him, although Jimenez himself is currently dealing with an injury concern. Despite Jimenez’s absence potentially impacting the White Sox’s offensive firepower, manager Pedro Grifol remains optimistic about the team’s performance.
On the White Sox side, right-hander Erick Fedde will take the mound for his second start of the season, facing the Royals for the first time in his career. The White Sox continue to rely on a four-man rotation, with a bullpen bolstered by nine relievers, a strategy likely to persist for the near future.
Additionally, the White Sox recently secured the return of free agent right-hander Mike Clevinger on a one-year deal, reinforcing their pitching depth. Clevinger, who had a solid season with the team last year, is currently undergoing conditioning with the organization’s rookie-level affiliate in Arizona before potentially rejoining the major league roster. Grifol expressed satisfaction with Clevinger’s return and emphasized his importance to the team’s success.
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