In the 2 game of a divisional doubleheader, the Chicago White Sox are set to face off against the Kansas City Royals at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. The opening pitch is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET and WGN will televise the matchup.
Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals Odds
The White Sox have gone only 7-16 SU this year and are 10-12 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 9.2 units for bettors taking the moneyline through the early portions of the season and 4.0 units ATS. Chicago has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in three of those seven. The Royals, on the other hand, are 5-19 SU and 9-14 ATS. They’ve lost 12.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 9.8 units ATS. Kansas City has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the under has cashed in four of those seven.
Kansas City games have an over/under record of 8-13-2 so far in 2018. The White Sox have an over/under record of 11-9-2.
Kansas City’s pitchers have allowed 5.7 runs per game overall in 2018 as a unit. The team’s starters have an ERA of 4.41, a WHIP of 1.25 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 6.7. The bullpen has a 6.72 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 6.6 K/9. In 13 games against AL Central opponents, Royals starters have an ERA of 4.38 and the bullpen’s ERA is 5.97.
Kansas City’s offense has put up 3.3 runs per contest, including 3.1 per game against divisional foes and 3.8 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .242/.318/.410 over its last five matchups and is 1-4 SU during that span.
Third baseman Mike Moustakas and right fielder Jorge Soler have paced the Royals’ hitters so far. Moustakas is slashing .311/.336/.621 with eight home runs, 19 RBIs and 16 runs scored, and Soler’s line is .292/.427/.462 with 19 hits, five RBIs and six runs.
Compared to his overall season slash line of .144/.245/.258, Soler appeared to enjoy hitting at home in 2017, producing .213/.302/.404 across 53 plate appearances.
In the other dugout, Chicago’s pitchers have allowed 5.9 runs per game and its starters own a 5.80 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 5.42 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 4.91, along with a WHIP of 1.58 and a K-per-9 of 9.52.
White Sox hitters have slashed .240/.312/.417 on their way to 3.9 runs scored per game this year, including 4.9 runs per game against divisional foes and 5.2 per game over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
Matt Davidson and Yoan Moncada have led Chicago’s offense. Davidson is slashing .237/.356/.632 with nine home runs, 18 RBIs and 15 runs scored, while Moncada (.264/.362/.560) has produced six homers, 12 RBIs and 16 runs scored.
Compared to his overall season slash line of .231/.338/.412, Moncada didn’t seem to enjoy hitting against lefty pitching on the road last season, maintaining a slash line of just .237/.275/.316 across 40 such plate appearances.
Chicago White Sox at Kansas City Royals MLB Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Royals, ATS Winner – White Sox, O/U – OVER
Notes
Betting Trends
The Royals have lost five of their last six games SU.
The Chicago defense has allowed six errors over its last five games, compared to three errors for Kansas City over its last five.
The White Sox have hit 14 home runs in their last 10 games, including 11 over their last five.
*****
