The Kansas City Royals will be taking on their division rival Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field. NBC Sports Chicago is in line to broadcast the action and the game gets underway at 2:10 p.m. ET.
Kansas City Royals at Chicago White Sox Odds
Oddsmakers have listed Chicago (-120) as the favorite over Kansas City (+110). Bettors can gamble on the game’s total with odds posted at -115 for over 10 runs and -105 for under 10. The game’s most recent runline odds stand at -190 for betting the Royals +1.5 runs and +165 for the White Sox -1.5 runs.
The Royals have gone just 27-67 SU this year and are 40-53 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 30.2 units for moneyline gamblers and 21.6 units ATS. Kansas City’s covered the spread only once over its last seven games and the over has hit in six of those seven. The White Sox, on the other hand, are 32-62 SU and 47-46 ATS. 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 over has cashed in four of those seven.
White Sox games have a 43-45-5 over/under record so far in 2018. The Royals have been a decent under bet with a total record of 39-50-4.
Burch Smith will get the start for the visiting Royals. The right-handed 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 will turn to righty Lucas Giolito (5-8, 6.59 ERA) to the mound. Giolito has 57 strikeouts and 57 walks to his credit, as well as a WHIP of 1.56. Giolito is 1-0 with three strikeouts and a 3.86 ERA across two starts against Kansas City this year.
Kansas City’s pitchers have allowed 5.5 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 5.35 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 7.27 K/9. The bullpen has logged 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 team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).
Second baseman Whit Merrifield and third baseman Mike Moustakas continue to lead Kansas City’s offense. The speedy Merrifield is slashing .307/.377/.432 with five home runs, 30 RBIs, 42 runs and 17 stolen bases, while Moustakas (.250/.306/.469) has produced 19 homers, 58 RBIs and 42 runs scored.
For the home team, Chicago’s pitching staff has yielded 5.4 runs per game overall in 2018. The team’s starters have an ERA of 5.28, a WHIP of 1.46 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 6.4. The bullpen has a 4.47 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 9.5 K/9. In 40 games against divisional opponents, White Sox starters have an ERA of 4.75 and the bullpen’s 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 slashed .238/.311/.344 over its last five contests and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
The White Sox batters 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 is .256/.308/.406 with five homers, 41 RBIs, 33 runs and nine stolen bases.
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 righty starter. The over has cashed in 33 of those games, compared to 35 that’ve gone under.
Kansas City Royals vs. Chicago White Sox Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – White Sox, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Notes
The under has hit in just one of Kansas City’s last seven games.
Kansas City has posted 23.5 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests 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.
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