A Series Finale Starring Chris Sale - Game Preview & Lineups 4/6

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Now it’s a matter of not getting swept. But Chris Sale to the rescue! There’s the hope that this isn’t a microcosm of the season. Rattle off a couple of losses and then rely on Chris Sale to bring it back home and stop a negative streak. The series finale has arrived and regardless of the score, the outcome is a trip to the Rocky Mountains.

Chris Sale’s first outing was a solid one. 5 hits and 8 strikeouts over 7 and a third innings. What was in hindsight an ill-advised trip out to the mound for the 8th inning resulted in an extra run, but the offense had that covered. Saturday’s game was the first  of the season in which the Sox did not put at least 5 on the board, and so the timing is nice for Sale’s services against the Royals. In 84 innings worth of work against the Royals Sale has worked his way to a 2.68 ERA. The Royals have seen a good deal of turnover, but their most consistent threats, Billy Butler and Alex Gordon have been around for the duration of Sale’s tenure as a major leaguer.

I may be a bit juvenile, but I can’t think of James Shields anymore without then thinking of Wil Myers. Wade Davis, the other piece of the exchange with the Tampa Bay Rays, helped along the White Sox cause yesterday afternoon by allowing a pair of runs in his inning of work. Shields allowed 3 runs to the Tigers over 6.1 innings in his first start of 2014 against the Tiger on his way to a no-decision. James led the American League in innings pitched for 2013, but you probably don’t need me to remind you that the accomplishment failed to lead the Royals to postseason play.

The shakeup in the lineup for yesterday’s contest was fueled by left-handed pitching (Konerko, Viciedo), a day of rest (Flowers), and a day to think about what you’ve done (Avisail Garcia). Today's shuffle is slight, with De Aza's league-leading HR bat getting a rest.

Today’s Lineup:

  1. Eaton – CF
  2. Semien – 2B
  3. Abreu – 1B
  4. Dunn – DH
  5. Viciedo - LF
  6. Gillaspie – 3B
  7. Garcia - RF
  8. Ramirez – SS
  9. Flowers – C

Chris Sale - SP

Royals Lineup:

  1. Omar Infante – 2B
  2. Danny Valencia – 3B
  3. Eric Hosmer – 1B
  4. Billy Butler – DH
  5. Alex Gordon – LF
  6. Salvador Perez – C
  7. Justin Maxwell - RF
  8. Lorenzo Cain – CF
  9. Alcides Escobar – SS

James Shields - SP

Where to Watch:

Today’s game will be broadcast on Comcast Sports Net and Fox Sports KC. 1:10 Central start time.