Edinson Volquez (10-6, 3.20 ERA) and John Danks (6-8, 4.80 ERA) take the hill in the first of a three-game series between the Kansas City Royals (63-44) and the Chicago White Sox (51-55) at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. Action begins at 7:10 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 7 and can be seen on CSCh and FSKC.
Volquez pitched 6.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering two runs, striking out four and walking three in a 5-2 defeat to the Blue Jays. Lorenzo Cain (.304, 68 Rs, 11 HRs, 46 RBIs, 19 SBs) went 1 for 5 yesterday. Danks went 5.2 innings, surrendering one run, striking out eight and walking four in an 8-2 win over the Yankees in his most recent start. Jose Abreu (.295, 62 Rs, 19 HRs, 64 RBIs) went 1 for 4 Wednesday with one run.
Kansas City is a -168 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 +1,815 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 27-17 records as the favorite and SU respectively. The Royals are one of the best in the AL in terms of hits with a phenomenal 9.2 per game. Crossing over to the pitching staff, opposing offenses have been stifled by the Royals, who have a team ERA of only 3.54.
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 274 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, 7-3. The Royals have a 19-17 record against left-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Danks takes the mound. Volquez (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
In their last game, the White Sox won by a margin of one run. The Royals are 15-10 in one-run games. The White Sox have a 21-18 record in close games.
The Royals managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the White Sox who are coming in with a 17-8 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the White Sox are 8-43. The Royals have a 7-36 record when opponents outhit them.
Both falling near the bottom of the league based on total home runs this season, Kansas City ranks 25th with 85 homers and Chicago is 22nd with 88.
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 9.19.
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.
The White Sox are 25-41 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Royals are 27-32 when they allow at least one homer.
