As the Kansas City Royals begin what appears to be a rebuilding process, the Chicago White Sox hope this is the year their rebuild moves into the next phase. The AL Central rivals start the season in Kansas City on Thursday with the opener of their three-game series.
The White Sox have a roster loaded with talented, young players they hope will be ready to compete for a playoff spot ahead of schedule. Young infielders Yoan Moncada, Tim Anderson and Yolmer Sanchez hope to take the next step in their development and complement star first baseman Jose Abreu and All-Star right fielder Avisail Garcia. The Royals’ lineup features some new faces after Eric Hosmer and Lorenzo Cain – cornerstones of the 2015 world championship team – moved on via free agency. Lucas Duda slots in at first base with Jon Jay in center field, joining a lineup anchored by veterans Mike Moustakas and Salvador Perez and 2017 breakout Whit Merrifield.
TV: 4:15 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, FS Kansas City
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH James Shields (2017: 5-7, 5.23 ERA) vs. Royals LH Danny Duffy (2017: 9-10, 3.81)
Shields is making his eighth Opening Day start for his fourth different team, which includes the Royals in 2013. The 36-year-old is coming off a tough campaign during which he finished strong, winning three of his last four turns. Shields struggled at Kauffman Stadium, even when he was with the Royals, as he is 9-13 with a 4.35 ERA in 36 career starts there.
Duffy takes the ball on Opening Day for the second straight year after striking out eight and allowing one run over six innings at Minnesota last season. The 29-year-old left his last spring start with shoulder tightness but threw on Sunday and reported he was ready for the opener. Duffy is 7-5 with a 4.20 ERA in 20 career games (18 starts) against the White Sox, who tagged him for 19 runs over 22 innings in four meetings last year.
WALK-OFFS
1. Moustakas has hit more home runs against the White Sox (19) than any other team, including six last season.
2. Abreu has recorded at least 25 homers, 32 doubles, 100 RBIs and a .290 batting average in each of his last four campaigns.
3. Royals SS Alcides Escobar is 6-for-14 with three extra-base hits against Shields.