Jeremy Guthrie (7-7, 5.65 ERA) and Jeff Samardzija (8-6, 4.35 ERA) start in the second of a three-game series between the Kansas City Royals (64-44) and the Chicago White Sox (51-56) at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won the last game 3-2 and Kansas City leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 6:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 8 and can be seen on CSCh and FSKC.
Guthrie pitched 5.1 innings in his most recent start, surrendering seven runs (one unearned), striking out three and walking one in a 12-1 defeat to the Indians. Lorenzo Cain (.306, 69 Rs, 11 HRs, 47 RBIs, 19 SBs) continued his strong play yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one run and one RBI. Samardzija went 4.2 innings, surrendering nine runs, striking out three and walking two in a 12-3 defeat to the Yankees in his last outing. Jose Abreu (.295, 62 Rs, 19 HRs, 65 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one RBI.
Kansas City is a -120 favorite against Chicago and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at eight runs. The Royals have recorded an overall money line of +1,709 and have shown high-level performance as a favorite this season with a record of 33-21. Kansas City has had an impressive season against division opponents, earning 14-10 and 27-18 records as the favorite and SU respectively. The Royals are one of the best in the AL in terms of hits with an impressive 9.2 per game. Turning to the pitchers, opposing offenses have been stifled by the Royals, who have a team ERA of only 3.59.
In games where it is the underdog, Chicago has a 25-32 record and an overall money line of -535. They played solid baseball as the underdog over their last 10 games with a 4-1 record, and a 5-5 record SU. Offensively, the White Sox have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 3.7 runs per game by averaging 6.0 during that stretch. The White Sox have a dynamic offense, ranking third in the league with 278 extra base hits. The White Sox allow 4.4 runs per game, but have damaged those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 7.0 runs per game during that span. When it comes to issuing walks on the road, the White Sox have the fewest in the AL with only 2.4 walks allowed per game.
The Royals have controlled the season series, 8-3. The Royals have a 44-27 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Samardzija takes the mound. Guthrie (RHP) will be on the hill against the White Sox, who have a 43-43 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – KC, O/U – Over
Notes
The White Sox lost their last game by a one-run margin. In games decided by one run, the Royals are 16-10. The White Sox are 21-19 in close games this season.
The Royals are coming off of a weak pitching game where they recorded six strikeouts. The White Sox have a record of 22-14 when opponents’ pitchers have that many strikeouts or fewer.
When they are outhit, the White Sox are 8-43. The Royals have an 8-36 record when opponents outhit them.
Both falling near the bottom of the league based on total home runs this season, Kansas City ranks 27th with 85 homers and Chicago is 22nd with 89.
Ranking eighth, Chicago is in the top 10 of the league in hits, notching 8.54 per game. Kansas City ranks in the top five at second with 9.18.
Ranking 25th, Chicago is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.684). Kansas City ranks in the top half at 11th with an OPS of .726.
When the White Sox allow at least one home run, they are 25-41. When the Royals allow one or more homers, they have a 28-32 record.
