White Sox host the Royals to open 3-game series

Kansas City Royals (33-30, fourth in the AL Central) vs. Chicago White Sox (20-43, fifth in the AL Central)

Chicago; Friday, 6:40 p.m. CDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Royals: Seth Lugo (3-5, 3.45 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 45 strikeouts); White Sox: Davis Martin (2-6, 3.67 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 41 strikeouts)

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Royals -177, White Sox +148

BOTTOM LINE: The Chicago White Sox host the Kansas City Royals on Friday to start a three-game series.

Chicago has a 14-17 record at home and a 20-43 record overall. The White Sox have a 15-9 record in games when they have more hits than their opponents.

Kansas City has a 33-30 record overall and a 14-17 record in road games. The Royals are 24-8 in games when they have more hits than their opponents.

The teams meet Friday for the fifth time this season. The Royals lead the season series 4-0.

TOP PERFORMERS: Miguel Vargas leads the White Sox with eight home runs while slugging .416. Mike Tauchman is 12 for 37 with five doubles, a triple, a home run and seven RBIs over the past 10 games.

Vinnie Pasquantino ranks fourth on the Royals with 16 extra base hits (seven doubles, a triple and eight home runs). Bobby Witt Jr. is 8 for 39 with three doubles, two home runs and seven RBIs over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: White Sox: 3-7, .237 batting average, 4.39 ERA, outscored by seven runs

Royals: 5-5, .272 batting average, 4.05 ERA, outscored by four runs

INJURIES: White Sox: Luis Robert: day-to-day (head), Lenyn Sosa: 10-Day IL (hip), Miguel Castro: 60-Day IL (knee), Jonathan Cannon: 15-Day IL (back), Tyler Gilbert: 15-Day IL (knee), Fraser Ellard: 15-Day IL (lat), Martin Perez: 60-Day IL (forearm), Drew Thorpe: 60-Day IL (elbow), Prelander Berroa: 60-Day IL (elbow), Ky Bush: 60-Day IL (elbow), Jesse Scholtens: 60-Day IL (elbow)

Royals: Hunter Harvey: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Lucas Erceg: 15-Day IL (back), Alec Marsh: 60-Day IL (shoulder), James McArthur: 60-Day IL (elbow), Sam Long: 15-Day IL (elbow), Kyle Wright: 15-Day IL (shoulder)

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.