Having traded 2-0 victories (or losses, if you prefer), two of the worst offensive teams in the majors — White Sox 29th in runs per game, Royals 27th — take another stab at trying to figure out where a ball was pitched this afternoon in the third of a four-game series in Kansas City.
The Royals will start four batters hitting .200 or worse. Not to be outdone, the Sox will start six, with the only average better than .242 being Dustin Harris’ .333 — which we would be more impressive if he had more than six at-bats.
Trying to keep Kansas City in the offensive doldrums will be Erick Fedde, who has had a respectable beginning to the season (4.09 ERA and 3.42 FIP over 11 innings in two starts). His mound opponent, Michael Wacha, has been not just respectable but downright amazing, giving up just one run in 13 innings.
Wacha will face a Sox lineup that has the heart of the order, batters two through five, all with averages that begin with a one. To make it more of a challenge for the offense one of the two Sox to have a hit yesterday, Derek Hill, isn’t starting.
Fedde will face a Royals lineup that so far this season consists of Maikel García and Bobby Witt Jr. at the top, Kyle Isbel at the bottom, and a bunch of guys who are struggling in between (well, OK, except for Carter Jensen, who had a homer yesterday).
First pitch is scheduled for 3:10 p.m. Central, with a very un-Kansas City-like 74°, a chance of a shower or thunderstorm, and wind blowing out toward left. Usual broadcast suspects.
