For the Royals first trip back to the ALCS since 2035 they will come up against a familiar foe. It is another AL Central opponent, as the Royals will meet the White Sox for the 5th time in post season history (tied with Baltimore and New York for most in Royals history) with all 4 previous occasions coming during the Stewart era, and Chicago holding a 3-1 advantage. They also won the regular season series in 2038, 8-5.
The White Sox are an elite team, having gone 92-70 in the regular season before sweeping the AL-leading Avalanche in the Division Series. They scored the 2nd most runs in the AL, with LF Beau Cutrone averaging .320, Jon Adelman .294 while hitting 30 HRs, and Juan Borja .269 with 40 HRs.
The pitching is focused on their 2nd best in the AL bullpen, with only Dan Nichols among their starters to have an ERA under 4.00. The closer Luis Alameda had a 2.15 ERA while recording 30 saves in 59 appearances.
Game 1 in Kansas City: Bogans vs. Josh Webb (2036 Trade NYY)
• Kansas City wins 6-3
• Bogans (W): 6.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R
• Webb (L): 4.2 IP, 7 H, 5 R
• Banmei Kataoka (SV): 1.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R
• Royals HRs: Bob Crimi (4th Inning, 2R)
• White Sox HRs: Bobby Osier (8th Inning)
• 1-0 Kansas City
Game 2 in Kansas City: Chafin vs. Ronnie Chapman (2035 Trade COL)
• Chicago wins 5-4
• Chapman (W): 5.1 IP, 8 H, 3 R
• Chafin (L): 5.1 IP, 3 H, 4 R
• Alameda (SV): 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R
• White Sox HRs: Bobby Osier (4th Inning, 2R; 6th Inning)
• Royals HRs: Billy Mumaugh (1st Inning, 2R), Mir (6th Inning)
• POTG: Osier (CWS) 2-2, 2HR, 2BB
• 1-1 Series Tied
Game 3 in Chicago: Min-Ho Kim vs. Chris Mueller (2032 Trade LAD)
• Kansas City wins 9-1
• Kim (W): 6.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R
• Mueller (L): 2.1 IP, 6 H, 5 R
• Kansas City HRs: Mir (1st Inning), Crimi (3rd Inning), Mike Connelly (4th Inning), Mumaugh (8th Inning, 2R)
• POTG: Connelly (KC) 2-4, HR, BB, 3 RBI
• 2-1 Kansas City
Game 4 in Chicago: Baquerizo vs. Josh McGann (2031 7th Round)
• Kansas City wins 11-3
• Baquerizo 4.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R
• McGann (L): 3.1 IP, 5 H, 6 R
• David Maciel (W): 2.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R
• Kansas City HRs: TJ Pompey (2nd Inning, 2R)
• White Sox HRs: Mike Jackson (5th Inning), Herb Savard (7th Inning, 2R)
• POTY: Pompey (KC) 2-3, HR, 2 BB
• 3-1 Kansas City
Game 5 in Chicago: Bogans vs Webb
• Chicago wins 6-4
• Webb: 4.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R
• Bogans (L): 5.0 IP, 10 H, 5 R
• Alameda (SV): 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R
• White Sox HRs; Osier (3rd Inning, 2R), Cutrone (3rd Inning, 3R)
• Royals HRs: Juan Soreni (1st Inning, 2R; 3rd Inning)
• POTG: Soreni (KC) 2-4, 2 HR
• 3-2 Kansas City
Game 6 in Kansas City: Chafin vs Chapman
• Kansas City wins 4-0
• Chafin (W): 6.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R
• Chapman (L): 4.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R
• Kataoka (SV): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R
• Kansas City HRs: Mike Connelly (6th Inning, 3R)
• 4-2 KANSAS CITY WINS
Series MVP: Juan Soreni (KC): .400 AVG, 2 HRs, 6 RBIs