The Chicago White Sox (2-4) visit the Kansas City Royals (3-4) to open a three-game series at Kauffman Stadium Friday at 8:05 p.m. ET. We analyze the White Sox-Royals MLB betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.
White Sox at Royals: Projected starting pitchers
LHP Dallas Keuchel vs. LHP Kris Bubic
In his White Sox debut, Keuchel (1-0) allowed two runs on three hits in 5 2/3 innings last Saturday, beating the Minnesota Twins 10-3. He pitched for the Atlanta Braves last season, going 8-8 with a 3.75 ERA in 19 starts.
- Keuchel excels on five-day rest and has been solid as a road pitcher in recent years (sub-3.60 ERA over his last 30 road turns).
- Current Royals batters own an anemic .561 OPS and .079 isolated power against the veteran port-sider.
Bubic is making his Major League debut. The 22-year-old was a first-round selection in the 2018 MLB June Amateur Draft.
- He logged 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings in A-ball a year ago. Friday’s outing will be his first start above Class-A.
- The former Stanford hurler is backed by a large and well-rested middle-relief corps.
Baseball season is finally here! Get some action on the 2020 season with an MLB bet at BetMGM in NJ, IN, CO and WV. Bet now!
White Sox at Royals: Key injuries
(List of injuries around the league)
White Sox
- RP Jimmy Lambert (forearm) out
- OF Nomar Mazara (illness) out
Royals
- RF Hunter Dozier (COVID-19) out
- C Cam Gallagher (COVID-19) out
White Sox at Royals: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 11:05 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML)
The White Sox (-162) are the play in a vacuum, but consider a play on KC (+145) and the kid. At that +145 price, VALUE SHADES IN THAT DIRECTION.
New to sports betting? A winning $10 bet on the Royals profits $14.50.
Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
Considerations go against the grain of a run-line wager in this contest. PASS on the Royals (+1.5, -110) and the White Sox (-1.5, -110).
Over/Under (O/U)
Both teams have played in three straight Unders, but this one is ripe for a move the other way. A mid-morning drop on this total leaves some room for value on that upside of a projected score.
Keuchel figures to be overvalued based on his surface ERA last year (skill-based ERA metrics peg him with more average numbers), and the Royals bullpen is likely too far over its skis with an early 3.75 ERA. On offense, KC’s early-season .681 OPS is tamped down by a low average on balls in play. TAKE THE OVER 9.5 (-110).
Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.
Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]