(Best E Casino) - The Chicago White will try to continue their dominance of the
Kansas City Royals tonight, as the teams collide in the second of a three- game series at U.S. Cellular Field.
Chicago swept a three-game set from the Royals in the Windy City back in early June and owns a one-sided 25-7 record against Kansas City at home since 2005. The White Sox have also won eight of the last nine overall matchups in this series, including a 9-5 decision on Friday.
Jermaine Dye went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI on Friday for Chicago, which improved to 6-1 against the Royals this season. Carlos Quentin added his 23rd home run of the season -- tying Grady Sizemore for the American League lead -- to give the AL Central leaders their sixth win in nine games.
Mark Buehrle (7-8) had a solid outing, throwing seven innings and allowing four runs -- three earned -- and four hits while striking out three and walking two. The southpaw got his first win in July after going 4-0 in June.
For all the success Zack Greinke (7-6) has had this year, he has really struggled at U.S. Cellular Field. He pitched only three-plus innings, giving up seven runs on 11 hits with two strikeouts and three walks. In his two road starts this year against Chicago, he has thrown a total of nine innings, giving up 15 runs on 20 hits.
Billy Butler, replacing Jose Guillen who sat out with back spasms, hit a three-run homer and had four RBI, as the Royals lost for the seventh time in 11 games.
The Royals will send Gil Meche to the bump tonight and hope he can cool down some of the White Sox' bats. The right-hander is 6-3 with a 4.38 ERA in 13 career starts against Chicago, but he gave up five earned runs in 5 2/3 innings of a 6-2 loss at the White Sox on June 5.
Meche, who is winless in his last three starts, was reached for four earned runs and 10 hits in 6 2/3 innings of an eventual 5-4 victory in his most recent outing against the Seattle Mariners on July 12th. He did not factor in the decision.
Gavin Floyd will try to rebound from his shortest outing of the season, as he takes the hill for the White Sox tonight. The right-hander was last in action on July 11, when he was pounded for six earned runs and five hits in just 2 2/3 innings of a 7-2 loss to the Texas Rangers. He struck out two and issued a season-high seven walks.
Floyd, who owns an impressive 7-1 record with a 2.57 ERA in 10 starts at home this season, is an even 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA in three career starts against the Royals. He faced Kansas City on June 3rd and picked up the win after giving up two earned runs and six hits over seven innings of a 9-5 home triumph.
