ROYALS PROBABLE STARTER: Darrell May (0-1, 7.20 ERA). The left-hander allowed six hits and four runs in five innings as the Royals lost 4-3 to the White Sox on Wednesday. In 12 appearances - including seven starts - against the White Sox, May is 3-4 with a 6.08 ERA.
WHITE SOX PROBABLE STARTER: Esteban Loaiza (1-0, 4.50 ERA). The 32-year-old right-hander is starting Chicago's home opener for the second straight year. He allowed five hits and three runs in six innings of a 4-3 win last Wednesday. In 12 career starts against the Royals, Loaiza is 6-4 with a 5.19 ERA.
STREAKS AND NOTES: Royals - 1B-DH Mike Sweeney has a .391 average with two HRs and five RBIs all-time against Loaiza (9-for-23). ... Royals' starters are 0-2 with four no-decisions, the first time since 1992 no starter has won in the first six games. ... RHP Scott Sullivan is coming off back-to-back wins in games against the Indians, pitching a scoreless inning of relief each time. White Sox - SS Valentin, who has two homers and three errors in the last two games, struck out three times against LHP May switch-hitting left-handed last Wednesday. ... DH Thomas went 1-for-4 with an RBI single and flied out to deep center twice Sunday. ... LHP Neal Cotts pitched three scoreless innings over two relief appearances against the Yankees.
WHITE SOX PROBABLE STARTER: Esteban Loaiza (1-0, 4.50 ERA). The 32-year-old right-hander is starting Chicago's home opener for the second straight year. He allowed five hits and three runs in six innings of a 4-3 win last Wednesday. In 12 career starts against the Royals, Loaiza is 6-4 with a 5.19 ERA.
STREAKS AND NOTES: Royals - 1B-DH Mike Sweeney has a .391 average with two HRs and five RBIs all-time against Loaiza (9-for-23). ... Royals' starters are 0-2 with four no-decisions, the first time since 1992 no starter has won in the first six games. ... RHP Scott Sullivan is coming off back-to-back wins in games against the Indians, pitching a scoreless inning of relief each time. White Sox - SS Valentin, who has two homers and three errors in the last two games, struck out three times against LHP May switch-hitting left-handed last Wednesday. ... DH Thomas went 1-for-4 with an RBI single and flied out to deep center twice Sunday. ... LHP Neal Cotts pitched three scoreless innings over two relief appearances against the Yankees.
