Yoan Moncada and the struggling Chicago White Sox will do battle against their divisional rival Kansas City Royals at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium in a Saturday showdown. The opening pitch is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. ET and NBC Sports Chicago will televise the action.
Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals Odds
Las Vegas has Chicago (-125) as the favorite over Kansas City (+115). You can play matchup’s total with current odds posted at -105 for over 8.5 runs and -115 for under 8.5. There’s a runline of White Sox -1.5 (+120) and Royals +1.5 (-140) for this matchup.
The White Sox are 29-33 SU and are 27-34 against the spread (ATS). They’ve accumulated 5.2 units for moneyline gamblers, despite having lost 8.6 units ATS. Chicago is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the under has hit in four of those seven. The Royals, on the other hand, are 20-43 SU and 29-33 ATS. The team has lost 17.2 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 13.4 units ATS. Kansas City has covered the spread only once in its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven.
Kansas City games have had an over/under record of 31-27-4 thus far in 2019. The White Sox have an over/under record of 28-32-1.
Lucas Giolito will get the nod for Chicago. The right-handed Giolito (8-1, 2.54 ERA) has racked up 78 strikeouts in 67.1 innings so far. He’s 2-0 with 23 strikeouts and a 2.60 ERA against Kansas City this year (three starts).
The Royals are turning to righty Brad Keller (3-7, 4.50 ERA), who’s got 54 strikeouts and 42 walks as well as a 1.45 WHIP. Keller is 1-1 with 11 strikeouts and a 3.00 ERA across three starts against Chicago this year.
Chicago’s pitching staff allowed 5.1 runs per game and its starters own a 5.58 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 8.10 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 4.01, along with a WHIP of 1.49 and a K-per-9 of 8.33.
White Sox hitters have slashed .253/.314/.400 on their way to 4.3 runs scored per game in 2019, including 4.5 runs per game against divisional foes and 3.4 per game over the team’s last five outings (1-4 SU).
Third baseman Yoan Moncada and shortstop Tim Anderson continue to lead Chicago’s offense. Moncada is slashing .285/.341/.506 with 12 home runs, 38 RBIs and 38 runs scored, while Anderson is hitting .321 with nine homers, 28 RBIs, 33 runs and 15 steals.
In the other dugout, Kansas City’s pitching staff has allowed 5.3 runs per game overall in 2019. Its starters have an ERA of 5.59, a WHIP of 1.48 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.5. The bullpen has a 4.88 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 8.9 K/9. In 21 games against divisional foes, Royals starters have an ERA of 4.18 and the bullpen’s ERA is 5.29.
The Kansas City hitters are putting up 4.3 runs per outing, including 4.8 per game against divisional foes and 3.0 per game over their last five. The team has hit .256/.281/.401 over its last five contests and is 1-4 SU during that span.
The Royals’ hitters have been led by second baseman Whit Merrifield and shortstop Adalberto Mondesi. Merrifield is slashing .295/.346/.487 with seven home runs, 29 RBIs, 43 runs and eight steals, and Mondesi’s line is .282/.316/.476 with six homers, 44 RBIs, 37 runs and 23 stolen bases.
The White Sox have gained 3.5 units and are 19-28 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 22 of those games, compared to 24 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Royals have lost 13.1 units and are 21-24 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 25 of those games, as opposed to 18 that’ve gone under.
White Sox vs. Royals Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – White Sox, ATS Winner – White Sox, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The over has hit in three of Chicago’s last seven games.
- The White Sox have dropped four of their last five games SU.
- Chicago has posted 23.1 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 18.6 over its last five.
- The White Sox have hit nine home runs in their last 10 games, including five over their last five.
- The White Sox have a total OPS of .715 this season and an OPS of .724 when facing right-handed pitchers. The Royals’ OPS sits at .725 overall and .752 versus righties.
