Kansas City just dropped 2 of their last 3 on the road against Tampa Bay, including a 13-2 thrashing on Thursday. The Royals are 34-48 and in genuine survival mode, hemorrhaging key players while trying to stay competitive in the AL Central. Chicago is at 41-38 — a number that still feels strange given their 60-102 finish last season — and has a chance to take advantage of a vulnerable opponent at home. The White Sox went 2-1 against Cleveland in their last homestand before dropping Wednesday's finale 4-3, so they're not cruising either, but the matchup is clearly in their favor.
- Day-To-DayStephen Kolek (SP) — Kolek (4-2) took the loss Sunday against the Cardinals, allowing nine runs on nine hits and one walk over 1.2 innings.06/25
- Day-To-DayJavier Vaz (2B) — Vaz (fingers) has produced a .238/.304/.262 slash line with zero home runs and three stolen bases in 10 games since being activated from Double-A Northwest Arkansas' 7-day injured list April 22.05/08
- Day-To-DayTyson Guerrero (RP) — no05/08
- 10-Day-ILMaikel Garcia (3B) — The Royals placed Garcia on the 10-day injured list Tuesday due to a left hand muscle strain.06/23
- 10-Day-ILVinnie Pasquantino (1B) — Royals manager Matt Quatraro said that Pasquantino underwent surgery Sunday to remove a fractured hamate bone in his right hand and will face a recovery timeline of roughly 4-6 weeks, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.06/14
- 10-Day-ILKyle Isbel (CF) — Isbel has been diagnosed with a Grade 3 tear of a portion of his left plantar fasciitis.06/11
- 15-Day-ILKris Bubic (SP) — Bubic (elbow) threw a perfect inning while striking out one in Wednesday's rehab start with Triple-A Omaha.06/26
- 15-Day-ILNick Mears (RP) — Mears (shoulder) received an injection and began playing catch again Monday, MLB.com reports.06/24
- 60-Day-ILCarlos Estevez (RP) — Estevez (shoulder) threw a bullpen Sunday and is scheduled to throw another Wednesday, MLB.com reports.06/24
- 60-Day-ILCole Ragans (SP) — Manager Matt Quatraro said Tuesday that Ragans (elbow) will likely need some type of elbow surgery, but the specific procedure and potential recovery timeline remain unclear as the left-hander is scheduled to visit another doctor soon, Brian Murphy of MLB.com reports.06/23
- 60-Day-ILJonathan India (2B) — no06/04
- 60-Day-ILJames McArthur (RP) — McArthur (elbow) underwent surgery Friday to help combat continued soreness and inflammation, MLB.com reports.05/25
- 60-Day-ILAlec Marsh (SP) — The Royals placed Marsh (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list Thursday.05/08
- Day-To-DayHagen Smith (SP) — Smith will be shut down for two weeks after being diagnosed with a left shoulder impingement, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.06/16
- Day-To-DayTim Elko (1B) — no06/11
- Day-To-DayMason Adams (RP) — The White Sox announced that Adams underwent successful Tommy John surgery Wednesday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.05/08
- 7-day ilEverson Pereira (RF) — The White Sox activated Pereira (pectoral) from the 10-day injured list Thursday.06/18
- 10-Day-ILMunetaka Murakami (1B) — White Sox manager Will Venable said Sunday that Murakami (hamstring) is increasing the intensity of his hitting and running at about 80 percent intensity, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.06/21
- 15-Day-ILNoah Schultz (SP) — Schultz (knee) struck out four over 2.2 scoreless innings in a rehab start Sunday with Triple-A Charlotte. He scattered two hits and one walk and also hit two batters.06/22
- 15-Day-ILTyler Gilbert (RP) — The White Sox placed Gilbert on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a left shoulder impingement.06/10
- 60-Day-ILAustin Hays (LF) — Hays has been pulled off his rehab assignment at Triple-A Charlotte due to a recurrence of left calf soreness, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.06/09
- 60-Day-ILJordan Leasure (RP) — Leasure (forearm) said Friday that he will be shut down from throwing for four weeks, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.05/30
- 60-Day-ILKy Bush (SP) — Bush (elbow) had a setback in his recovery from Tommy John surgery and is unlikely to return until the second half of the season, MLB.com reports.05/26
- 60-Day-ILDrew Thorpe (SP) — Thorpe (elbow) recently underwent an appendectomy but has resumed throwing, MLB.com reports.05/26
- 60-Day-ILPrelander Berroa (RP) — Berroa is dealing with right elbow inflammation and will have his rehab stint paused, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.05/17
- 60-Day-ILMike Vasil (RP) — The White Sox transferred Vasil (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Tuesday.05/08
- 60-Day-ILTanner Murray (LF) — The White Sox transferred Murray (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Monday.05/08
- 60-Day-ILBrooks Baldwin (LF) — The White Sox transferred Baldwin (elbow) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday.05/08
The biggest variable heading into this series is Bobby Witt Jr. He has been out since June 18 with a Grade 1 MCL sprain in his right knee, missing 6 games, but manager Matt Quatraro said his hope is that Witt returns this weekend. Witt went through base-running and defensive drills before Friday's opener and told reporters 'Better every day.' If he plays, Kansas City at least has their best player. If he sits, the Royals step into the box without him, without Vinnie Pasquantino (hamate surgery, 4-6 weeks), without Maikel Garcia (hand strain, 10-day IL), and with Cole Ragans likely facing elbow surgery. That is a lot of lineup to lose.
For the White Sox, this is exactly the type of matchup they need to capitalize on if they want to stay above water in the AL Central. They have home field, the better record, and a lineup that should be able to do something against a 6.26-ERA arm making a spot start. The ceiling on this game largely depends on which Sandlin shows up — the guy who went 18 up, 18 down in his MLB debut, or the one who couldn't get out of the fourth inning against Minnesota. The White Sox are betting on the former.