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Tuesday's Mlb Plays -- Early Game Inside
4/13/04 - 2:05 PM EST
MLB - Chicago White Sox (-160) over Kansas City Royals
The White Sox host the 4-2 Kansas City Royals in their home opener on Tuesday afternoon at U.S Cellular Field. Chicago, 3-3 on the year so far, split their first two series on the road, taking one of two in Kansas City and two of four in New York against the Yankees. They have come out of the gate strong, losing the three games by an average of only 1.67 runs. The Sox's big bats have been just that so far, clubbing ten home runs while the team has had a combined 32 men cross the plate in their first six matchups.
The Royals took their home opener over Chicago on April 5th by a score of 9-7 in a game that featured a six-inning rally by KC in the bottom of the 9th topped off by Carlos Beltran's walk-off dinger. The Sox got revenge in the second and final game of the series, winning by a score of 4-3 behind Esteban Loaiza. Three of KC's four victories came at the hands of the lowly Cleveland Indians. They were all close games (3-1, 7-6, and 5-3). Their bullpen has been their strong point so far, led by newly anointed closer Curtis Leskanic (2 saves in 2 opportunities) who is filling in for the injured Mike MacDougal. Their big hitters have struggled so far with the exception of Juan Gonzalez who has no homers and only 1 RBI but is hitting .348. Reigning ROY Angel Berroa is hitting only .174 while 1B Mike Sweeney (.217, 0 HR) and Beltran (.227) have yet to really produce. In regards to their starting pitchers, the only one to impress so far has been Jimmy Gobble. All four victories so far have been accredited to relievers.
Chicago, on the other hand, showed great prowess against the mighty Yankees in the Bronx. The biggest star to shine for Ozzie Guillen's club was Magglio Ordonez, who was named the American League's Player of the Week on Monday. From April 5-11, he led the league with 10 RBI while hitting .360. Look for Magglio and the rest of the hot-hitting Sox to bring their smoking bats to the home opener against a shaky Kansas City pitcher in lefty Darrell May.
The White Sox send Loaiza to the mound in a rematch of their April 7th game in which Chicago tagged May for three home runs in five innings. Loaiza handled KC's hitters fairly well in that game, allowing three earned runs across six frames. May's last start of the 2003 season was also in Chicago in a game which he lost 11-2. He gave up five earned runs in seven innings in that game, including two long balls. After having the first respectable season of his career in 2003, May does not look sharp so far this campaign. Loaiza, on the other hand, looks like he has picked up right where he left off last year (21-9, 2.90 ERA in '03).
We like the favorite in their home opener. Take the White Sox to win the game.
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MLB - Chicago White Sox (-160) over Kansas City Royals
The White Sox host the 4-2 Kansas City Royals in their home opener on Tuesday afternoon at U.S Cellular Field. Chicago, 3-3 on the year so far, split their first two series on the road, taking one of two in Kansas City and two of four in New York against the Yankees. They have come out of the gate strong, losing the three games by an average of only 1.67 runs. The Sox's big bats have been just that so far, clubbing ten home runs while the team has had a combined 32 men cross the plate in their first six matchups.
The Royals took their home opener over Chicago on April 5th by a score of 9-7 in a game that featured a six-inning rally by KC in the bottom of the 9th topped off by Carlos Beltran's walk-off dinger. The Sox got revenge in the second and final game of the series, winning by a score of 4-3 behind Esteban Loaiza. Three of KC's four victories came at the hands of the lowly Cleveland Indians. They were all close games (3-1, 7-6, and 5-3). Their bullpen has been their strong point so far, led by newly anointed closer Curtis Leskanic (2 saves in 2 opportunities) who is filling in for the injured Mike MacDougal. Their big hitters have struggled so far with the exception of Juan Gonzalez who has no homers and only 1 RBI but is hitting .348. Reigning ROY Angel Berroa is hitting only .174 while 1B Mike Sweeney (.217, 0 HR) and Beltran (.227) have yet to really produce. In regards to their starting pitchers, the only one to impress so far has been Jimmy Gobble. All four victories so far have been accredited to relievers.
Chicago, on the other hand, showed great prowess against the mighty Yankees in the Bronx. The biggest star to shine for Ozzie Guillen's club was Magglio Ordonez, who was named the American League's Player of the Week on Monday. From April 5-11, he led the league with 10 RBI while hitting .360. Look for Magglio and the rest of the hot-hitting Sox to bring their smoking bats to the home opener against a shaky Kansas City pitcher in lefty Darrell May.
The White Sox send Loaiza to the mound in a rematch of their April 7th game in which Chicago tagged May for three home runs in five innings. Loaiza handled KC's hitters fairly well in that game, allowing three earned runs across six frames. May's last start of the 2003 season was also in Chicago in a game which he lost 11-2. He gave up five earned runs in seven innings in that game, including two long balls. After having the first respectable season of his career in 2003, May does not look sharp so far this campaign. Loaiza, on the other hand, looks like he has picked up right where he left off last year (21-9, 2.90 ERA in '03).
We like the favorite in their home opener. Take the White Sox to win the game.
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