Despite falling short in their latest performance against the Kansas City Royals, the Chicago White Sox remain in position to secure a postseason spot.
Looking to bounce back, the visiting White Sox again have a chance to clinch that playoff spot Thursday afternoon when they take on the Royals in the decisive contest of the three-game series.
Chicago (81-77) had won three straight before Kansas City responded with a 5-4 win on Wednesday. The White Sox overcame an early 4-0 deficit, but Kansas City’s Maikel Garcia, who recorded only one hit in his previous six games, capped a three-hit, three-RBI night with his tiebreaking, run-scoring double in the seventh inning.
While that victory snapped a five-game skid for the last-place Royals (68-90), the White Sox seem destined to make the playoffs following three consecutive seasons with at least 100 lossesy. Chicago is one game behind first-place Cleveland in the American League Central, but owns a three-game lead over Texas for the final wild-card spot — leaving its playoff magic number at one.
“(Clinching a postseason berth) is on everyone’s mind,” said White Sox pitcher Erick Fedde, who tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings following Bryan Hudson’s rough opener performance Wednesday.
“It’s huge, it’s the goal when you come in the year to get that ticket into the playoffs. … Being (this) close is exciting.”
Chicago’s Braden Montgomery had three hits Wednesday and is 7-for-15 in the last four contests. Teammate Chase Meidroth, meanwhile, added two hits Wednesday and is batting .375 in the last eight games.
David Sandlin (2-2, 6.29 ERA) is slated to start Thursday for the White Sox. Despite giving up five runs and seven hits over four innings against Detroit on Friday, the rookie right-hander held Kansas City to one run on three hits over six innings on June 26.
Royals star Bobby Witt Jr, went 0-for-2 with a walk against Sandlin in June, but he’s reached base in 20 consecutive games. Meanwhile, teammate Vinnie Pasquantino is batting .327 with 17 RBIs in his last 14 games, and 7-for-21 with eight RBIs in his last five contests against the White Sox.
“Vinnie has been on a good run,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “There’s a lot to like about what he’s done.”
Scheduled starter Randy Dobnak (3-4, 3.08) has been one of the few bright spots for the last-place Royals since the team acquired him from Seattle in June. The right-hander, who debuted with Kansas City on July 2, had a 1.93 ERA through his first eight starts, but is 1-2 with a 5.91 ERA in four since.
On Friday, Dobnak lasted just 3 2/3 innings, allowing four runs, seven hits and two walks. His only appearances against the White Sox came in 2020, while with Minnesota, when he posted a 5.40 ERA while losing two starts.
Andrew Benintendi is batting .173 over his last 20 games, but 3-for-5 with two homers versus Dobnak.
–Field Level Media
