The split is secured, now let’s get the victory.
The Kansas City Royals host the not quite historically awful but still bad Chicago White Sox tonight at Kauffman Stadium in the third game of this four-game set. With wins each of the last two nights, the Royals have a shot to secure the series victory tonight.
Michael Wacha will start for Kansas City. Wacha has been solid to start the season with a 3.52 ERA/3.27 FIP in seven starts. That FIP is mostly aided by keeping the ball in the yard as he has the lowest strikeout rate of his career paired with his highest walk rate since 2019. Pitching in spacious Kauffman Stadium against a White Sox lineup that is tied for second-to-last in homers should allow this trend to continue. Wacha last faced the Sox last July, allowing two runs across seven innings.
The White Sox will counter with Jonathan Cannon. Cannon has been an adequate starting option for the Sox with a 4.26 ERA/4.61 FIP so far this season. His strikeouts are up relative to his rookie campaign, but he has also walked multiple batters in six of his seven outings this season. The Royals need to be ready to swing as he’s had a tendency to leave pitches over the middle of the plate, particularly with his sinker and sweeper. Cannon pitched opposite Wacha in that game last July, one-upping his Royals counterpart with seven innings of one-run ball.
For the fourth time this season, Jonathan India will get the day off with Maikel Garcia taking his spot at the top of the order. Cavan Biggio will hit fifth for the fourth time this season, while Luke Maile draws his second start since joining the big league club.
First pitch: 6:40 pm CDT
Royals lineup
It’s Wacha Wednesday!