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The Chicago White Sox will try to leave Missouri with the upper hand as they finish a five-game series against the Kansas City Royals. It's time to continue our MLB odds coverage with a White Sox-Royals prediction and pick.
The Royals defeated the White Sox 6-2 on Wednesday. The game was tied at one heading into the third inning when Bobby Witt Jr. approached the plate. Then, Witt clobbered a 1-1 curveball from Luis Giolito to deep left-center for a solo home run. It was his fourth home run in 2022 and put the Royals up 2-1. Later, the Sox tied it up in the fifth when Tim Anderson plucked an RBI single to right to drive home Adam Engel. Kansas City answered back in the sixth on an RBI triple from Emmanuel Rivera. Finally, MJ Melendez sealed the game with a two-run home run in the eighth. It was his second in 2022.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the White Sox-Royals MLB odds:
MLB Odds: White Sox-Royals Odds
White Sox: -1.5 (+106)
Royals: +1.5 (-128)
Over: 9.5 (-108)
Under: 9.5 (-112)
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Why The White Sox Could Cover The Spread
Chicago will go with Vince Velaquez on the hill. He is 2-3 with a 5.53 ERA in 2022. Velasquez has pitched inconsistently over the season but has produced two decent starts over his past four outings. The Yankees rocked him in his last start, as he tossed five innings while allowing seven earned runs and eight hits off three walks. Significantly, he has gone over five innings just once in 2022. Velasquez also has walked five batters over two starts. The seven earned runs allowed was the highest amount he has allowed in a start all season. Also, he went over the 100-pitch mark for the first time in 2022.
The Chicago offense has not produced well in 2022. The Sox are 21st in batting average, 29th in on-base percentage, 27th in runs scored, and 18th in home runs. However, there are some bright spots in the lineup. Anderson has hit four home runs and 13 RBIs while Luis Robert has five home runs and 13 RBIs. Meanwhile, long-time Sox slugger Jose Abreu has three home runs and 14 RBIs. Andrew Vaughn has also hit four home runs and 13 RBIs. Chicago has multiple guys that are on pace for about 20 home runs. Basically, when Chicago does score, they do it through the long ball. The White Sox scored three of their five runs in that manner on Monday.
The White Sox will cover the spread if Abreu can pick it up and improve upon his .212 batting average. Additionally, Chicago needs its bullpen to not fall apart like it did yesterday. The Sox could use better support from Robert and Yoan Moncada, who combined to go 0 for 9 in Wednesday's loss.
Why The Royals Could Cover The Spread
Kansas City will go with Carlos Hernandez on the mound. He is 0-3 with a 9.11 ERA. Hernandez lasted just four innings in his last start, which was a 10-4 loss to the Colorado Rockies. He allowed nine earned runs on eight hits. Additionally, two of those hits left the park for home runs. Hernandez must do everything he can to contain the White Sox and limit their ability to hit the long ball. Also, he must cut down on the walks as he has walked 10 batters over three starts. Hernandez will need some support from an offense that has performed inconsistently recently.
The Royals are 19th in batting average, 24th in on-base percentage, 26th in runs scored, and 28th in home runs. Typically, Kansas City relies on low-scoring games. It is also a significant reason they are 14-22 and struggling in fourth place in the AL Central. Witt Jr. has four home runs and 15 RBIs. However, he needs help from his teammates to get some offense going. Salvador Perez has hit six home runs and 16 RBIs but recently went on the injured list for 10 days. Now, that means that the offense needs to come from somewhere. Melendez has performed admirably in relief for Perez. Whit Merrifield is slumping as he is hitting .204 in the leadoff spot.
The Royals will cover the spread if Hernandez can give them a decent performance. In addition to that, Kansas City needs some offense, and Witt and Merrifield are the perfect hitters to help. Melendez should continue his hot streak.
Final White Sox-Royals Prediction & Pick
Velasquez is not a great pitcher at all. However, the Sox will try to leave Kansas City with a third victory. They also know they have to head to New York next to take on the Yankees, so winning here would be the best course of action. Expect the White Sox to muster enough offense to cover the spread and leave Kansas City with a win.
Final White Sox-Royals Prediction & Pick: White Sox: -1.5 (+106)
