Game thread thirteen—White Sox at Royals

Welcome back to Thursday baseball. The game hasn’t even started and yet we’ve had our fair share of Royals news already today.

First, the Royals, among other teams, unveiled their new City Connect jerseys. Okay, then.

Next, news broke regarding a plan for a potential downtown stadium for the Royals set to open in 2030. Okay, then!

Lastly, some moves to the bullpen as two relievers are up and two are down. Fine.

Now, get ready for Game No. 13! The Royals are 5-7 after their first dozen games. Don’t fret just yet, there are still 150 of these things left. But I’d sure like to see the Royals win, if not sweep, this four-game series against the White Sox, which Max previews here.

Tonight’s game begins at 6:40 p.m.

For the Royals, Seth Lugo is on the mound. Lugo has pitched very well over two starts this young season, one against the Braves and one against the Brewers, which makes this, oddly, his first start against an American League team.

Against the Brewers in his most recent outing, he lasted only five innings as he threw 103 pitches, allowing four hits, two walks, and two earned while striking out seven. After he left the game, the Royals’ offense broke it open. The team is 2-0 in Lugo’s starts.

The Pale Hose turn to lefty Anthony Kay, who spent the last two years pitching in Japan. Already this season he’s started one game and appeared in relief in another. He’s walked (six) more than he’s struck out (five) over nine innings with a ghastly 6.96 FIP. He last won a game in the Majors in 2021.

To the lineups!

Look at that, an actual outfielder in left field!

After catching consecutive games, Carter Jensen gets the day off. Glad to see Cags in there against a lefty this early in the season. Aside from Lane Thomas starting in right, I like this lineup a lot.

Hey, look, it’s former Royal Andrew Benintendi. Cool. Great guy. I’ve never written anything about him that argues otherwise, so don’t bother looking it up.

Anyway, it cracks me up that he has the largest contract in White Sox history. Or does he? Did Murakami break it? Let’s sleuth. [Types into Google machine] Yep, still Benintendi at 5/$75m though Murakami earns more per year with a 2/$34m deal.

See you all on the other side.

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