The Chicago White Sox are trying to stave off their fourth straight loss as they play host to the Kansas City Royals at Guaranteed Rate Field. NBC Sports Chicago will broadcast the matchup and the game is scheduled to get going at 8:10 p.m. ET.
Kansas City Royals at Chicago White Sox Odds
Kansas City (+140) is the underdog against Chicago (-150) and Vegas has put the Over/Under for this one at 8.5 runs (-115 for the under and -105 for the over). Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the most recent runline odds standing at Royals +1.5 runs (-155) and White Sox -1.5 runs (+135).
The Royals have gone 18-34 SU this year and are 25-27 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 9.7 units for moneyline gamblers and 8.8 units ATS. Kansas City has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the over has hit in four of those seven. The White Sox, on the other hand, are 23-29 SU and 24-28 ATS. They’ve gained 0.8 units for moneyline bettors while gaining 5.6 units ATS. Chicago has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven.
White Sox games have an over/under record of 25-26-1 so far in 2019. The Royals have been a decent over bet with a total record of 28-20-4.
The right-handed Brad Keller is projected to start for the visiting Royals. Keller (3-5, 4.43 ERA) has racked up 45 strikeouts in 65 innings so far. He’s 1-0 with eight strikeouts and a 1.50 ERA against Chicago this year (two starts).
The White Sox are putting the ball in the right hand of Lucas Giolito (6-1, 2.77 ERA, 1.06 WHIP), who’s got 59 strikeouts and 19 walks this season. Giolito is 1-0 with 13 strikeouts and a 1.93 ERA over two starts against Kansas City this year.
Chicago’s pitching staff has given up 5.3 runs per game overall in 2019 as a unit. Its starters have an ERA of 5.86, a WHIP of 1.53 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.2. The bullpen has a 4.15 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 8.7 K/9. In 22 games against AL Central opponents, White Sox starters have an ERA of 4.65 and the bullpen’s ERA is 5.00.
The Chicago hitters are putting up 4.2 runs per outing, including 4.4 per game against divisional foes and 3.6 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .237/.286/.376 over its last five contests and is 2-3 SU during that span.
The White Sox offense has been led by shortstop Tim Anderson and third baseman Yoan Moncada. Anderson is slashing .337/.369/.506 with eight home runs, 25 RBIs, 28 runs and 13 steals, while Moncada is batting .282 with nine homers, 32 RBIs, 33 runs and five stolen bases.
In the other dugout, Kansas City’s pitchers have allowed 5.3 runs per game and its starters own a 5.43 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 7.48 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 4.96, along with a WHIP of 1.48 and a K/9 of 8.69.
The Royals offense has slashed .246/.320/.415 on its way to 4.5 runs scored per game in 2019, including 4.9 runs per game against divisional foes and 5.4 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).
Second baseman Whit Merrifield and shortstop Adalberto Mondesi continue to lead Kansas City’s offense. Merrifield is slashing .293/.352/.512 with seven home runs, 27 RBIs, 40 runs and eight stolen bases. Mondesi is hitting .288/.320/.486 with five homers, 41 RBIs, 30 runs and 18 stolen bases.
The Royals have lost 6.1 units and are 18-20 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has hit in 23 of those games, as opposed to 13 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the White Sox have lost 0.9 units and are 16-22 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over has cashed in 19 of those games, compared to 18 that’ve gone under.
Royals at White Sox Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – White Sox, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The under has hit in only one of Kansas City’s last seven games.
- The Royals have hit seven home runs in their last 10 games, including seven over their last five.
- The Royals have a total OPS of .736 this season and an OPS of .765 against right-handed pitchers. The White Sox’ OPS stands at .709 overall and .705 against righties.
- Chicago has recorded 16.3 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 20.0 over its last five.
