In the first of a three-game series between the Kansas City Royals (82-51) and the Chicago White Sox (62-70) at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium, Kris Medlen (3-0, 3.51 ERA) and John Danks (6-12, 4.82 ERA) get the start. The game gets underway at 8:10 p.m. ET on Friday, Sep. 4 and will air on CSCh and FSKC.
In his most recent outing, Medlen pitched 5.1 innings, allowing three runs, striking out five and walking two in a 6-3 victory over the Rays. Lorenzo Cain (.315, 86 Rs, 14 HRs, 64 RBIs, 26 SBs) continued his strong season yesterday, going 2 for 4 with three runs, one home run, and three RBIs. The White Sox were unsuccessful the last time Danks pitched. He pitched well, going 6.0 innings, allowing two runs and striking out five in a 2-0 loss to the Mariners. Jose Abreu (.292, 77 Rs, 24 HRs, 80 RBIs) has been doing well offensively for the White Sox, going 3 for 4 yesterday with one run.
Kansas City is a heavy -182 favorite at home and the Over/Under (O/U) for this matchup is set at eight runs. The Royals perform well as a favorite with a 49-25 record and have an overall money line of +2,694. Over the last 10 games, they have a very good record when playing as the favorite (6-2). The Royals have one of the most prolific home offenses in the entire AL, averaging 4.9 runs per game. The Royals rank second in the AL in hits with 9.3 per game. They have been a terror on the base paths, ranking fifth in all of baseball with 88 steals. Turning to the pitching staff, the Royals rank second in the AL in ERA with a 3.57 team average. The Royals are fifth in the AL in walks allowed at home with just 2.5 per game.
Switching gears, the White Sox come into this game with a win percentage of .419 when playing as the underdog (31-43) and an overall money line of -1,078. They have played poorly as the underdog as of late. They managed a 1-3 record when playing as the underdog and an SU record of 4-6. The White Sox are known for their bats, hitting 346 extra base hits. Switching gears to Chicago’s pitching staff, they allow just 2.5 walks per road game, second-best in the AL.
The Royals had the upper hand against the White Sox in their previous 13 games this season, earning a 10-3 record. This game will feature Danks (LHP) on the mound against the Royals, who have a 26-21 record when they take on a left-handed starter. Taking the hill against the White Sox will be the right-hander Medlen. They sport a 48-55 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – KC, O/U – Over
Notes
Kansas City is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games.
Kansas City is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games at home.
Kansas City is 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox.
The Royals hold a 34-20 record against the AL Central Division this season, while the White Sox have a 21-33 record against the division.
The Royals are coming off of a hot pitching game where they recorded 10 strikeouts. The White Sox have a record of 14-21 when they are struck out that many times or more.
When they are outhit, the White Sox are 10-53. The Royals have a 12-42 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 109 homers and Chicago is 27th with 106.
Ranking ninth, Chicago is in the top 10 of the league in hits, notching 8.60 per game. Kansas City ranks in the top five at second with 9.32.
Ranking 28th, Chicago is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.686). Kansas City ranks in the top 10 at sixth with an OPS of .741.
The White Sox are 30-53 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Royals are 38-36 when they allow at least one homer.
