The Chicago White Sox will be taking on their division rival Kansas City Royals in a Thursday day game. NBC Sports Chicago is in line to broadcast the matchup. The game is scheduled to get underway at 1:15 p.m. ET.
Chicago White Sox at Kansas City Royals Odds
The Royals are just 35-62 straight up (SU) and 46-50 against the spread (ATS). The team has lost 17.7 units for moneyline bettors and 15.7 units ATS. Kansas City has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the under has hit in four of those seven. The White Sox are 42-50 SU and have gone 42-49 ATS. In total, the club has gained 6.3 units for gamblers taking the moneyline, but have lost 11.2 units ATS. Chicago has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the under has cashed in five of those seven.
Kansas City games have an over/under record of 46-43-7 so far in 2019. The White Sox have an over/under record of 43-46-2.
Ross Detwiler will get the start for Chicago. The left-handed Detwiler (1-0, 5.02 ERA) has recorded six strikeouts in 14.1 innings so far. He has yet to face the Royals this year and did not record a start against them in 2018, either.
The Royals are preparing to start righty Brad Keller (5-9, 4.25 ERA), who has 84 strikeouts and 55 walks to his credit, along with a WHIP of 1.38. Keller is 1-2 with 15 strikeouts and a 2.77 ERA over four starts against Chicago this year.
Kansas City’s pitchers have allowed 5.1 runs per game overall this season as a unit. Its starting pitching staff has a 5.13 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 7.4 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.85 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 8.7 K/9. In 45 games against AL Central foes, Royals starters have an ERA of 3.81 and the bullpen’s ERA is 5.12.
Kansas City’s hitters have put up 4.4 runs per outing, including 4.7 per game against divisional foes and 7.0 per game over their last five. The team has hit .327/.397/.467 over its last five contests and is 4-1 SU during that span.
The Royals’ hitters have been led by second baseman Whit Merrifield and left fielder Alex Gordon. Merrifield is slashing .316/.369/.511 with 12 home runs, 48 RBIs, 69 runs and 15 stolen bases, while Gordon’s line sits at .279/.358/.447 with 10 homers, 58 RBIs and 55 runs.
In the visiting dugout, Chicago’s pitchers have allowed 5.4 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 5.50 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 7.98 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.69, along with a K-per-9 of 8.26.
The White Sox offense has slashed .255/.313/.406 on its way to 4.2 runs scored per game in 2019, including 4.4 runs per game against divisional foes and 2.2 per game over the team’s last five contests (0-5 SU).
Chicago’s offense has been led by Jose Abreu and Yoan Moncada, who’ve collectively blasted 37 home runs. Abreu is slashing .273/.309/.500 with 21 home runs, 66 RBIs and 45 runs scored, while Moncada is slashing .299/.357/.518 with 16 homers, 49 RBIs and 50 runs scored.
The White Sox have lost 0.1 units and are 25-37 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has hit in 28 of those games, compared to 32 that’ve gone under against lefty starters.
White Sox at Royals MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Royals, ATS Winner – White Sox, O/U – UNDER
Betting Notes
- Chicago has logged nine extra-base hits over its last five outings. Kansas City has 15 XBH over its last five.
- The White Sox have an OPS of .719 this season and an OPS of .706 when facing right-handed pitchers. The Royals’ OPS sits at .720 overall and .733 against righties.
- The White Sox have lost eight of their last nine games SU while the Royals have won five of their last six.
- Chicago has recorded 20 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 17 over its last five.
- The White Sox have hit 13 home runs in their last 10 games. The Royals have hit seven over their last 10.
