Even if you’ve got the reigning league pitcher of the month and you’re facing the team with the second worst record in baseball, you can’t assume a victory. That’s the sentiment of White Sox manager Rick Renteria, who is in that situation.
“Any major league club has a chance to win ballgames,” Renteria said prior to Friday’s game against the Kansas City Royals. “They’re major league ballplayers. They’re not going to go out there and lay down. They’re going out there to win the ballgame. You’ve got to respect the fact that there are two teams going at it. You have to play a good ballgame.
“If you don’t think the opponents didn’t have a chance, why even show up to play the game? You have to go out and compete.”
The Royals have won one more game than the Baltimore Orioles, who have the worst record in the majors.
The Royals continue to struggle to make contact. Even with their 6-4 victory Friday, when they struck out only seven times, they still have 136 strikeouts in their last 14 games.
Kansas City has been in double-figures in whiffs in nine of those games, including 16 at Texas May 30. First baseman Ryan O’Hearn has multiple strikeouts in four straight games, including two Friday.
The White Sox are counting on Lucas Giolito (8-1, 2.54 ERA), the aforementioned AL Pitcher of the Month for May, to regain the momentum after Friday’s loss. Giolito has won seven straight decisions and has a 1.92 ERA over his last nine starts, a span that also includes two no-decisions.
Giolito is making his fourth start of the season vs. Kansas City. He’s 2-0 with a 2.60 ERA against the Royals.
“Lucas has matured significantly,” Renteria said of his ace. “His trust factor in the things he is capable of doing has been a big change. He’s hammering the strike zone with all of his pitches. He’s pitching very effectively in terms of understanding who he’s facing, and understanding his strengths. He’s been efficient and consistent.
“Is he the ace of our staff? There’s a pretty good shot he’d be considered our ace, based on his effectiveness and the consistency with which he’s approached his outings.”
The chore of opposing Giolito falls on the shoulders of right-hander Brad Keller (3-7, 4.50 ERA). Keller will be making his fourth start against the White Sox this season. He’s 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA.
Keller says he can’t think about the struggles of his team when he steps on the mound.
“You don’t want to think about it,” he said. “You just go out and try to win the day. We’re going through a rough stretch, but one game can turn it around. You don’t try to put added pressure on yourself. Just go out and play the game.
“It’s difficult, because the game is on your shoulders. But once you get in the game, your competitive nature takes over, and you just try to go out and win the ballgame. As a starter, I try to get as deep into the game as I can to help the club. Once the game starts, the win-loss record is out. It’s just that day.”
The Royals took the opening series of the season against the White Sox, winning the first two games before losing the third game. Unfortunately, they have won only one other series this season, a three-game sweep of the Indians April 12-14.