The Chicago White Sox will depend on starting pitcher Chris Sale to anchor their rotation in 2013. Tyler Flowers will also need to be a force if the team is to contend. They got both on Monday, winning their opener for the first time since 2005.
A 17 game winner last season, the White Sox got 7 2/3 innings from Sale. In the fifth inning a solo home run off the bat of Flowers gave the White Sox a 1-0 lead and that is exactly how things ended.
Relievers Matt Thornton and Addison Reed filled in the other 1 1/3 innings as the White Sox defeated the Royals 1-0. Last season the White Sox were 6-12 against Kansas City.
The two teams will meet again on Wednesday. Jake Peavy will take to the bump for the White Sox while Ervin Santana pitches for the Royals.
