<\/p>\n
The Chicago White Sox, after regaining the top spot in the American League Central on Friday night, will look to win a franchise-record 10th straight home series on Saturday afternoon.<\/p>\n
However, it will be hard to top the series opener against the Kansas City Royals.<\/p>\n
Chicago crafted a 10-run third inning that lasted nearly 26 minutes en route to pummeling the Royals 22-1, handing the division rival its most lopsided defeat in franchise history.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll take that all day, great at-bats by the guys,\u201d White Sox manager Will Venable said. \u201cGood job of just passing the baton and stringing together good at-bats.\u201d<\/p>\n
The third inning was the team\u2019s most productive in 2026, and the 22 runs and 23 hits were season highs. The five homers tied their best effort.<\/p>\n
The 22 runs matched the second-best outburst in White Sox history, trailing only the 1955 club, which scored 29 against the Kansas City Athletics.<\/p>\n
The White Sox moved to 27-13 at Rate Field, trailing just the Tampa Bay Rays (29) in home victories in the AL, and they are 15-9 within their division. Overall victory No. 42 this season is one more than their total in the 2024 season.<\/p>\n
After coming within two outs of being no-hit Thursday by the host Rays and losing 13-2, the Royals were thumped on Friday as they played arguably their worst two consecutive games in a long time.<\/p>\n
If those two blowouts weren\u2019t embarrassing enough, Kansas City position player Tyler Tolbert took the mound and lobbed the final frame in both defeats.<\/p>\n
The Royals were outhit 23-4 in the series opener, and in total over three straight defeats, they have been outscored 40-6.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was obviously a tough night all the way around,\u201d Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro said. \u201cEarly on, (the White Sox) hit a bunch of homers, and later on everything found a hole \u2014 ground balls, inside-out swings, all of it. Couldn\u2019t get it to go to somebody.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was one of the worst games you could have right there on both sides of the ball.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kansas City right-hander Michael Wacha (5-5, 3.48 ERA), who will make his 17th start on Saturday, has pitched to a 1-2 record and a 4.21 ERA over four June starts.<\/p>\n
His problem has not been control: Wacha has issued only three walks in 25 2\/3 innings. However, he has allowed 30 hits \u2014 though only two home runs. Opposing batters have hit .294 against him this month after batting .216 in May.<\/p>\n
He did beat the host Rays 2-1 on Monday by tossing seven innings of one-run ball.<\/p>\n
Wacha has been stellar against the White Sox in his career, going 7-2 with a 2.66 ERA in a dozen starts, and Chicago batters have hit a paltry .201 with 55 hits in 273 at-bats over 74 1\/3 innings.<\/p>\n
The White Sox will counter with right-hander Davis Martin (9-3, 3.18 ERA), who will bid to become the first pitcher on the staff to reach double-digit wins.<\/p>\n
Like Wacha, Martin is wrapping up his worst month of the season. Martin owns a 1-2 record with a 7.20 ERA as the opposition has 29 hits in 20 innings, leading to 16 runs.<\/p>\n
Overall, batters have swung their way to a hefty .349 average in June against the fourth-year pitcher.<\/p>\n
Martin is 1-3 with a 2.65 ERA over six career starts vs. the Royals, who have hit .222 against him.<\/p>\n
At home, the staff ace is 5-0 with a 1.01 ERA in six starts this season.<\/p>\n
\u2013Field Level Media<\/p>\n