Royals at White Sox Preview

CHICAGO (Interstat) — Rain is in the forecast Wednesday night at Guaranteed Rate Field, but the Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals are set to continue their American League Central series.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. EDT with a 64-degree temperature and rain expected. The White Sox (19-21) took the series opener 5-2 Tuesday, snapping a two-game losing streak. The Royals (19-22) have dropped four of their last five.

Right-hander Seth Lugo (1-2, 4.50 ERA) is scheduled to start for Kansas City. Lugo has struggled recently, allowing four earned runs in 4 1/3 innings over his last two starts. He faces a White Sox lineup that has scored 13 runs over its last three games.

Right-hander Davis Martin (5-0, 1.69 ERA) will start for Chicago. Martin has been dominant in May, winning all three of his starts while allowing one earned run in 18 2/3 innings with 26 strikeouts. He threw six innings of one-run ball in Sunday’s 2-1 win over Seattle.

Players to watch

Royals reliever Alex Lange has been effective in his last three appearances, tossing 3 2/3 scoreless innings with two strikeouts. He has a 3.38 ERA on the season and has held opponents scoreless in seven of his last nine outings.

Martin has been the White Sox’s most consistent starter, posting a 10-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio in May. He has not allowed more than one earned run in any of his last four starts, spanning 25 innings.

Recent meetings

The teams have split their four meetings this season. Kansas City swept a three-game series at home April 9-11, winning 2-0 twice and 2-0. Chicago won 6-5 at Kansas City on April 12 and took Tuesday’s opener 5-2.

About the Royals

Kansas City’s most recent game was a 6-3 loss to Detroit on Sunday. Third baseman Maikel Garcia went 3-for-3 with an RBI in that game. The Royals are 4-6 in their last 10 games and rank near the bottom of the AL in runs scored.

About the White Sox

Chicago won Sunday’s series finale 2-1 against Seattle. Relievers Seranthony Dominguez and Sean Newcomb combined for two scoreless innings to secure the win. The White Sox are 6-4 in their last 10 games and sit a half-game ahead of Kansas City in the division standings.

Projection

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-5 Royals victory, but Chicago’s recent form and Martin’s dominance give the White Sox a clear edge on paper.

The two teams conclude their four-game series Thursday before heading in different directions. The Royals travel to St. Louis for a weekend series against the Cardinals, while the White Sox host the crosstown Cubs for three games beginning Friday.