Whit Merrifield and the Kansas City Royals are heading north to face their divisional rival Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field. NBC Sports Chicago will showcase the action and the game gets going at 8:10 p.m. ET.
Kansas City Royals vs. Chicago White Sox Odds
Las Vegas has Chicago (-115) as the favorite over Kansas City (+105). If you’re thinking the game’s total is going to finish below 9 runs, then Vegas is offering -110 odds to play the under. Playing the over can return -110 odds. There’s a runline of Royals +1.5 (-200) and White Sox -1.5 (+170) for this matchup.
The White Sox are 63-80 straight up (SU) and 68-74 against the spread (ATS). The team has gained 7.7 units for moneyline bettors while earning 11.3 units ATS. Chicago has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven. The Royals are 53-91 SU and have gone 67-77 against the spread. Overall, the club has lost 21.8 units for moneyline bettors and 22.6 units ATS. Kansas City is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the total has gone over in five of those seven.
Chicago games have had an over/under record of 65-71-6 in 2019. The Royals have an over/under record of 70-66-8.
Right-hander Jakob Junis will get the nod for the visiting Royals. Junis is 9-12 with a 4.94 ERA and 155 strikeouts. He’s 2-0 with 16 strikeouts and a 2.84 ERA against Chicago this year (two starts).
The White Sox will be sending righty Ivan Nova (9-12, 4.69 ERA) to the mound. Nova has 98 strikeouts and 42 walks to his name as well as a 1.44 WHIP. Nova is 0-1 with 10 strikeouts and a 6.60 ERA over three starts against Kansas City this year.
Kansas City’s pitchers have allowed 5.3 runs per game and its starters own a 5.19 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 7.30 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 5.02, along with a K/9 of 8.53.
Royals hitters have slashed .245/.310/.397 on their way to 4.3 runs scored per game this season, including 4.7 runs per game against divisional foes and 3.8 per game over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).
Kansas City’s offensive production has been fueled by second baseman Whit Merrifield and third baseman Hunter Dozier, who collectively have blasted 41 home runs. Merrifield is slashing .306/.354/.473 with 16 home runs, 72 RBIs, 94 runs and 18 stolen bases. Dozier (.291/.365/.551) has produced 25 homers, 79 RBIs and 70 runs scored.
In the home-team dugout, Chicago’s pitchers have allowed 5.2 runs per game overall in 2019. The team’s starting pitching staff has an ERA of 5.22, a WHIP of 1.44 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.3. The bullpen has a 4.55 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 8.3 K/9. In 60 games against divisional foes, White Sox starters have an ERA of 4.89 and the bullpen’s ERA is 5.12.
Chicago’s offense is putting up 4.3 runs per contest, including 4.5 per game against divisional foes and 5.8 per game over its last five. The team has slashed .286/.356/.486 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
Jose Abreu and Leury Garcia have led the White Sox hitters this year. Abreu is slashing .283/.331/.509 with 31 home runs, 112 RBIs and 71 runs scored, while Garcia’s line is .277/.309/.379 with seven homers, 38 RBIs, 87 runs and 15 stolen bases.
The Royals have lost 17.6 units and are 49-56 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has cashed in 51 of those games, compared to 50 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the White Sox have lost 4.0 units and are 39-55 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 41 of those games, as opposed to 49 which went under the total.
Royals vs. White Sox Free Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – White Sox, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- Kansas City has logged 11 extra-base hits over its last five outings. Chicago has 21 XBH over its last five.
- Chicago has recorded 23.7 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 25.8 over its last five.
- The Royals have hit 10 home runs in their last 10 games. The White Sox have hit 11 over their last 10.
- The Royals have an OPS of .708 this season and an OPS of .715 when facing right-handed pitchers. The White Sox’ OPS sits at .714 overall and .697 versus righties.
