The Chicago White Sox will be facing off against their AL Central nemesis Kansas City Royals at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. NBC Sports Chicago will broadcast the action and the first pitch is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET.
Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals Odds
Vegas is listing Kansas City (+115) as the underdog to Chicago (-125). Bettors are able to gamble on the game’s total with odds posted at +105 for over 9 runs and -125 for under 9. Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the most recent runline odds coming in at White Sox -1.5 runs (+120) and Royals +1.5 runs (-140).
The Royals are 49-95 straight up (SU) and 69-74 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 27.0 units for moneyline bettors and 14.2 units (ATS). Kansas City has covered the spread only twice in its last seven games and the under has hit in five of those seven. The White Sox have gone 56-89 SU this year and are 74-70 ATS. Overall, the team’s lost 15.1 units for gamblers taking the moneyline and 1.8 units ATS. Chicago is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the under has hit in four of those seven.
Royals games have an over/under record of 61-72-10 in 2018. Chicago has an over/under record of 68-70-6.
Carlos Rodon is getting the start for the visiting White Sox. The southpaw Rodon is 6-5 with a 3.11 ERA and 79 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Royals this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Royals are handing the ball to lefty Eric Skoglund (1-5, 6.45 ERA), who’s got 40 strikeouts and 15 walks, as well as a 1.39 WHIP. Skoglund is 1-0 with nine strikeouts and a 1.29 ERA in one start against Chicago this year.
Chicago’s pitching staff allowed 5.2 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 5.02 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 6.85 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.47, along with a WHIP of 1.39.
White Sox hitters have slashed .244/.305/.406 on their way to 4.1 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.2 runs per game against divisional foes and 2.2 per game over the team’s last five contests (0-5 SU).
Third baseman Yolmer Sanchez and first baseman Jose Abreu have led Chicago’s offense. Sanchez is slashing .251/.317/.381 with seven home runs, 48 RBIs, 55 runs and 13 stolen bases. Abreu has a .273 average with 22 homers, 78 RBIs and 68 runs scored.
For the home team, Kansas City’s pitchers have yielded 5.2 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starting pitching staff has a 5.01 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 7.4 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 5.16 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 7.3 K/9. In 63 games against AL Central opponents, Royals starters have an ERA of 4.84 and the bullpen’s ERA is 5.21.
The Kansas City hitters are putting up 3.8 runs per contest, including 4.3 per game against divisional foes and 4.2 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .238/.326/.381 over its last five matchups and is 3-2 SU during that span.
The Royals’ hitters have been led by second baseman Whit Merrifield and right fielder Alex Gordon. Merrifield is slashing .303/.366/.436 with 12 home runs, 54 RBIs, 74 runs and 33 stolen bases, while Gordon’s line is .240/.321/.360 with 11 homers, 41 RBIs and 50 runs scored.
The White Sox have lost 6.4 units and are 19-18 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has cashed in 16 of those games, compared to 20 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Royals have lost 5.4 units and are 23-20 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 15 of those games, as opposed to 25 which went under the total.
Chicago White Sox at Kansas City Royals MLB Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – White Sox, ATS Winner – White Sox, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The over has cashed in just two of Kansas City’s last seven games.
- Kansas City has recorded 20.4 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 19.4 over its last five.
- The White Sox have hit eight home runs in their last 10 games. The Royals have hit 11 over their last 10.
