May 21--The Chicago White Sox got their first look at the World Series champion Kansas City Royals when the teams kicked off a three-game series Friday night at U.S. Cellular Field.
Jose Quintana took the mound for the Sox looking to become the fifth starter in club history to allow two earned runs or less in each of this first nine starts of the season, according to Elias.
The Sox are trying to right the ship as they have gone 4-6 over their last 10 games and have seen their lead in the Central Division shrink to 2 1/2 games over the Cleveland Indians and 4 1/2 over the Royals.
At the plate
Sox manager Robin Ventura shook up the lineup, moving slugger Jose Abreu to the second spot, Todd Frazier hit third, Melky Cabrera batted cleanup and Brett Lawrie hit fifth.
As a team, the Sox are hitting .282 with 29 doubles, 10 home runs, 67 runs scored and 40 walks in the last 12 games.
On the mound
Quintana has been close to unhittable at home this season with a 3-0 record and 0.82 ERA.
The left-hander was opposed by Dillon Gee (0-1, 3.12 overall) for the Royals.
In the field
Tyler Saladino got the start at shortstop in place of veteran Jimmy Rollins.
The quote
"He's that quiet assassin kind of guy. He gets on there, he grunts a little bit when he pitches, not many people can hear it but I'm kind of close to him. And he's determined to be the bulldog that we need as well. He's just like a No. 1. I think he likes it right now not being in the limelight because he knows what he's capable of. But he's a solid No. 2 for us and it's the same thing kind of with Chris (Sale)--when he goes out there we know we have a great chance to win." -- Frazier on Quintana
Up next
Vs. Royals, 1:10 p.m., Saturday; CSN.
Lineups
White Sox
Eaton, RF
Abreu, 1B
Frazier, 3B
Cabrera, LF
Lawrie, 2B
Garcia, DH
Avila, C
Jackson, CF
Saladino, SS
Royals
Escobar, SS
Cain, CF
Hosmer, 1B
Morales, DH
Perez, C
Gordon, LF
Cuthbert, 3B
Infante, 2B
Orlando, RF
