White Sox-Royals season opener set to begin after rain delay

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The start of the White Sox’ season opener against the Kansas City Royals was set to begin at 5 p.m.

The scheduled 3:15 start was pushed back by a one-hour, 45-minute rain delay.

“It’s one of the hazards of opening in the Midwest,” general manager Rick Hahn said. “I understand the forecast in Chicago is 60 and sunny, but unfortunately neither one of us are there.”

Eloy Jimenez will make his major-league debut, Carlos Rodon will make his first Opening Day start and Sox newcomer James McCann will catch him if the game is played (NBCSCH, 720-AM) at Kauffman Stadium.

In a matchup of AL Central teams that lost 104 (Royals) and 100 games, right-hander Brad Keller will start for the Royals.

Jimenez, who signed a $43 million, six-year contract at the end of spring training, is batting fifth in Sox manager Rick Renteria’s lineup.

“I just want to say thank-you to God first,” Jimenez said Thursday afternoon. “I feel so excited for this moment. It’s a dream come true.”

Here are the lineups:

Leury Garcia CF

Yoan Moncada 3B

Jose Abreu 1B

Yonder Alonso DH

Eloy Jimenez LF

Daniel Palka RF

Tim Anderson SS

James McCann C

Yolmer Sanchez 2B

Carlos Rodon P

Royals

Whit Merrifield RF

Adalberto Mondesi SS

Alex Gordon LF

Jorge Soler DH

Frank Schwindel 1B

Chris Owings 2B

Hunter Dozier 3B

Martin Maldonado C

Billy Hamilton CF

Brad Keller P