Royals vs White Sox Odds, Prediction: How to Bet First Game of Doubleheader
Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images. Pictured: Bobby Witt Jr.
Royals vs White Sox Odds
| Royals Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Run Line | Over/Under | Moneyline |
-1.5 -120 | 8.5 -130o / +110u | -185 |
| White Sox Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Run Line | Over/Under | Moneyline |
+1.5 +100 | 8.5 -130o / +110u | +155 |
The White Sox are one of the worst teams in MLB, entering Wednesday with a putrid 2-14 record. On the flip side, the Royals have been a pleasant surprise at 11-6.
Royals vs White Sox odds on Wednesday have the Royals installed as -190 favorites on the moneyline with an over/under of 8. I'm targeting the run line for my Royals vs White Sox prediction, as I like Kansas City to cover (-1.5).
The Royals have owned the White Sox this season, winning all five meetings, with four by two or more runs. It's been an unfair matchup for the Sox so far — find out why that won't change in my MLB betting preview for this game below, which includes my Royals vs White Sox pick.
Editor's Note: This Royals vs White Sox game was originally scheduled for Tuesday night but was postponed due to rain. The game will be made up on Wednesday as part of a straight doubleheader — Brady Singer vs Jonathan Cannon remains the pitching matchup for Game 1.
Don't look now, but the Royals might contend for the AL Central crown. Kansas City won its 11th game of the season, as Bobby Witt Jr. looks like a burgeoning AL MVP candidate. Witt currently leads the Royals with a .314 batting average, four homers and a 202 wRC+.
Witt is one of many Royals players hitting well. Three other starters — Salvador Pérez, MJ Melendez and Nelson Velázquez — have wRC+'s above 140.
Pérez didn't play in the series opener after suffering a groin injury Sunday against the Mets, so don't be surprised if Freddy Fermín is behind the dish. Even if Pérez remains out, the Royals may not need a ton of scoring thanks to the man on the mound.
Brady Singer will get the start for Kansas City, and he's developed into an ace in his fourth major league season.
Singer's resurgent season is thanks to his elite 65% ground-ball rate. For reference, Singer posted a 49% ground-ball rate a season ago. Most ground-ball pitchers have poor underlying numbers since some balls find holes, and the pitcher needs to strand runners to maximize run prevention. Singer limited the White Sox to two hits in six innings two weeks ago.
Calling the White Sox start to the season a disaster is kind. There hasn't been a single positive thing happening in Chicago, besides Michael Kopech rediscovering his dominant form in a relief role — but the White Sox are rarely in position to win.
So, why the struggles? The White Sox's biggest problem so far is hitting. They have posted a dreadful 69 wRC+, second worst in baseball ahead of only the Marlins.
In the series-opening loss, the White Sox collected only four hits, all singles, and scored zero runs. Andrew Benintendi secured his first multi-hit game of the year, improving his batting average to .169.
The offense looked shaky quickly, but losing Luis Robert Jr. and Yoán Moncada to injury progressed the issues. Gavin Sheets is Chicago's top hitter, posting a .942 OPS, the best on the team by over 250 points.
The only issue is Sheets is strictly a platoon lefty bat against right-handed pitchers. Luckily, Chicago reinstated Eloy Jiménez from the injured list Monday, so perhaps that will dampen the hitting woes.
Sometimes, seeing what's sitting in the minor leagues is worthwhile in a rebuilding season. That's where Jonathan Cannon steps in. The 23-year-old year right-hander making his major league debut allowed 15 baserunners in 9.2 innings for Triple-A Charlotte.
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Royals vs White Sox
Betting Pick & Prediction
I'll take the plus money with the Royals to cover the -1.5 run line. The White Sox will eventually win another game, but I don't think it will happen today. Singer is humming for Kansas City, and another rookie will take the hill for Chicago.
The White Sox lost four straight games by two or more runs. If you're fine laying the -165 juice, then taking the Royals moneyline is totally fine.
I just think Kansas City pulls out a fairly easy win over arguably the worst team in baseball.
Pick: Royals -1.5 (+105)
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