The Kansas City Royals are set to face off against their divisional rival Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field. The matchup will get underway at 2:10 p.m. ET and NBC Sports Chicago is in line to televise the game.
Kansas City Royals vs. Chicago White Sox Odds
Oddsmakers are listing Chicago (-110) as the favorite over Kansas City (+100). Bettors can wager on the game’s total with odds posted at -110 for over 9 runs and -110 for under 9. Gamblers can also bet on the game’s spread with the current runline odds sitting at -210 for the Royals +1.5 runs and +175 for the White Sox -1.5 runs.
The White Sox are 46-46 against the spread (ATS), but only 32-61 straight up (SU). They’ve lost 19.8 units for moneyline bettors and 7.3 units (ATS). Chicago has a 3-4 ATS mark over its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven. The Royals have gone 26-67 SU this year and are 40-52 ATS. Overall, the team’s lost 29.2 units for moneyline bettors and 19.6 units ATS. Kansas City has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the total has gone over in five of those seven.
White Sox games have a 42-45-5 over/under record thus far in 2018. The Royals have been a good under bet with a total record of 38-50-4.
Danny Duffy is getting the start for the visiting Royals. The left-handed Duffy (4-8, 4.89 ERA) has recorded 95 strikeouts in 106.2 innings so far. He’s 0-1 with eight strikeouts and an 8.10 ERA against Chicago this year (two starts).
The White Sox will put the ball in the right hand of Reynaldo Lopez (4-6, 3.77 ERA, 1.34 WHIP), who has 75 strikeouts and 47 walks this season. Lopez is 0-0 with two strikeouts and a 2.84 ERA in one start against Kansas City this year.
Kansas City’s pitching staff allowed 5.6 runs per game and its starters own a 5.42 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 7.23 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 5.36, along with a K-per-9 of 6.86.
The Royals offense has slashed .239/.302/.367 on its way to 3.6 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.0 runs per game against divisional foes and 5.0 per game over the team’s last five outings (1-4 SU).
Second baseman Whit Merrifield and third baseman Mike Moustakas have led Kansas City’s offense. The speedy Merrifield is hitting .305/.376/.431 with five home runs, 30 RBIs, 41 runs and 16 stolen bases, while Moustakas has a .253 average with 19 homers, 58 RBIs and 42 runs scored.
In the other dugout, Chicago’s pitching staff has given up 5.4 runs per game overall this season. Its starters have an ERA of 5.27, a WHIP of 1.46 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 6.4. The bullpen has a 4.49 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 9.5 K/9. In 39 games against AL Central opponents, White Sox starters have an ERA of 4.71 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.31.
Chicago’s hitters have put up 4.0 runs per outing, including 4.0 per game against divisional foes and 4.4 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .242/.311/.379 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that span.
The White Sox batters have been led by first baseman Jose Abreu and third baseman Yolmer Sanchez. Abreu is hitting .255/.309/.445 with 13 home runs, 52 RBIs and 43 runs scored, while Sanchez’s line sits at .259/.311/.411 with five homers, 41 RBIs, 33 runs and nine stolen bases.
The Royals have lost 30.9 units and are 22-39 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has cashed in 26 of those games, as opposed to 31 that’ve hit the under against righties. On the other hand, the White Sox have lost 3.4 units and are 11-9 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 10 of those games, compared to 10 that’ve gone under.
Kansas City Royals vs. Chicago White Sox Free MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – White Sox, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Trends
Kansas City has logged 17 extra-base hits over its last five games. Chicago has 13 XBH over its last five.
The Royals have lost 12 of their last 13 games SU.
Kansas City has recorded 23.1 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 25.0 over its last five.
The Royals have hit nine home runs in their last 10 games, including five over their last five.
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