The Kansas City Royals are heading north to face their AL Central foe Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field. The first pitch is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. ET and NBC Sports Chicago will televise the matchup.
Kansas City Royals at Chicago White Sox Odds
Vegas is listing Kansas City (+125) as the underdog to Chicago (-135). The total sits at 9 runs and bettors can wager on the over for -120 or the under for even money (+100). Gamblers can also wager on the game’s spread with the most recent runline odds sitting at -170 for the Royals +1.5 runs and +150 for the White Sox -1.5.
The White Sox are 37-67 straight up (SU) and 52-54 against the spread (ATS). The team has lost 19.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 9.3 units (ATS). The Royals have gone 32-72 SU this year and are 49-57 ATS. Overall, the team’s lost 26.0 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 16.6 units ATS.
Chicago games have an over/under record of 50-51-5 in 2018. The Royals have been a good under bet with a total record of 43-57-6.
The right-handed Brad Keller will get the nod for Kansas City. Keller is 4-4 with a 3.43 ERA and 45 strikeouts. He’s 0-1 with three strikeouts and a 9.53 ERA against Chicago this year.
The White Sox will turn to righty Reynaldo Lopez (4-9, 4.57 ERA), who has 86 strikeouts and 55 walks as well as a 1.39 WHIP. Lopez is 0-1 with nine strikeouts and a 4.50 ERA over two starts against Kansas City this year.
Kansas City’s pitching staff allowed 5.5 runs per game and its starters own a 5.27 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 7.28 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 5.39, along with a K-per-9 of 6.94.
Royals hitters have slashed .241/.304/.373 on their way to 3.7 runs scored per game this year, including 4.0 runs per game against divisional foes and 5.0 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).
Kansas City’s hitters have been led by second baseman Whit Merrifield and third baseman Mike Moustakas, who’ve collectively swatted 25 home runs. The speedy Merrifield is slashing .300/.372/.422 with five home runs, 32 RBIs, 49 runs and 22 stolen bases. Moustakas (.249/.309/.468) has produced 20 homers, 62 RBIs and 46 runs scored.
In the other dugout, Chicago’s pitching staff has allowed 5.4 runs per game overall in 2018. The club’s starters have an ERA of 5.31, a WHIP of 1.46 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 6.5. The bullpen has a 4.57 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 9.5 K/9. In 41 games against divisional foes, White Sox starters have an ERA of 4.63 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.27.
The Chicago offense is putting up 4.1 runs per outing, including 4.1 per game against divisional foes and 5.8 per game over its last five. The team has a slash-line of .266/.321/.514 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
First baseman Jose Abreu and third baseman Yolmer Sanchez have led the White Sox offense this year. Abreu is hitting .260/.322/.460 with 16 home runs, 59 RBIs and 52 runs scored, and Sanchez’s line is .249/.305/.392 with six homers, 43 RBIs, 37 runs and 10 stolen bases.
The Royals have lost 23.6 units and are 29-42 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has cashed in 30 of those games, compared to 36 that’ve hit the under against righty starters. On the other hand, the White Sox have lost 9.8 units and are 41-39 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 37 of those games, compared to 38 that’ve gone under.
Kansas City Royals vs. Chicago White Sox Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – White Sox, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – OVER
