The Kansas City Royals will be facing off against their divisional rival Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field. NBC Sports Chicago will be televising the matchup and the game is scheduled to get underway at 2:10 p.m. ET.
Kansas City Royals vs. Chicago White Sox Odds
Chicago (-120) is hosting this one as the favorite over Kansas City (+110) and Vegas has set the Over/Under for this afternoon’s game at 10 runs. Odds for betting on the games total sit at -115 for the over and -105 for the under. Bettors can also wager on the games spread with the current runline odds standing at Royals +1.5 runs (-190) and White Sox -1.5 runs (+165).
The White Sox are 47-46 against the spread (ATS)despite being only 32-62 straight up (SU). They’ve lost 18.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 5.7 units (ATS). Chicago has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total went over in four of those seven. The Royals are 27-67 SU and have gone 40-53 ATS. Overall, the teams lost 30.2 units for moneyline gamblers and 21.6 units ATS. Kansas City has covered the spread just once in its last seven games and the total has gone over in six of those seven.
Chicago games have an over/under record of 43-45-5 thus far in 2018. Kansas City has been a good under bet with a total record of 39-50-4.
The right-handed Burch Smith will get the start for the visiting Royals. Smith (0-0, 5.83 ERA) has racked up 43 strikeouts in 41.2 innings so far. He’s 0-0 with three strikeouts and a 6.75 ERA against Chicago this year.
The White Sox are putting the ball in the hands of righty Lucas Giolito (5-8, 6.59 ERA), who has 57 strikeouts and 57 walks, as well as a 1.56 WHIP. Giolito is 1-0 with three strikeouts and a 3.86 ERA across two starts against Kansas City this year.
As a unit, Chicago’s pitching staff has allowed 5.4 runs per game overall this season. Its starters have a 5.28 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 6.4 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.47 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 9.5 K/9. In 40 games against AL Central foes, White Sox starters have an ERA of 4.75 and the bullpens ERA is 3.27.
Chicago’s hitters are putting up 4.0 runs per contest, including 3.9 per game against divisional foes and 3.2 per game over their last five. The team has hit .238/.311/.344 over its last five games and is 2-3 SU during that span.
The White Sox hitters have been led by first baseman Jose Abreu and third baseman Yolmer Sanchez. Abreu is slashing .256/.311/.444 with 13 home runs, 52 RBIs and 43 runs scored, while Sanchez’s line sits at .256/.308/.406 with five homers, 41 RBIs, 33 runs and nine stolen bases.
For the visitors, Kansas City’s pitching staff allowed 5.5 runs per game and its starters own a 5.35 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 7.27 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 5.33, along with a K/9 of 6.87.
Royals hitters have slashed .239/.302/.368 on their way to 3.6 runs scored per game this year, including 4.0 runs per game against divisional foes and 5.2 per game over the teams last five contests (2-3 SU).
Kansas City’s offense has been powered by second baseman Whit Merrifield and third baseman Mike Moustakas, who collectively have swatted 24 home runs. The speedy Merrifield is slashing .307/.377/.432 with five home runs, 30 RBIs, 42 runs and 17 steals, while Moustakas is hitting .250/.306/.469 with 19 homers, 58 RBIs and 42 runs scored.
The Royals have lost 31.9 units and are 22-40 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 27 of those games, compared to 31 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the White Sox have lost 15.4 units and are 36-37 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 33 of those games, as opposed to 35 which went under the total.
Kansas City Royals at Chicago White Sox MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – White Sox, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The over has hit in six of Kansas City’s last seven contests.
- Kansas City has posted 23.5 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 24.0 over its last five.
- The Royals have hit 10 home runs in their last 10 games, including seven over their last five.
