Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals Best Bet: Can the White Sox Get Started Early?
Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals Best Bet: Can the White Sox Get Started Early?
White Sox vs. Royals Start Time and Where to Watch
- Date: April 26, 2022
- Game Time: 7:10 pm ET
- Where to Watch: NBCSCH, BSKC
White Sox vs Royals Total Runs Movement
Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals Prediction
The Kansas City Royals travel from Seattle to the south side of Chicago tonight to take on the White Sox in a three-game series. Both clubs got swept in their previous meetings, but it is the White Sox who are in dire need of a victory here, as they are in the middle of a seven-game losing streak. Despite a 6-2 start for the White Sox, they now sit just one game ahead of the Royals, who are currently last in the AL Central. Can the White Sox end their losing streak, or will the Royals add to the misery?
The White Sox are struggling right now, no doubt. They are 6-9 overall and have lost seven in a row, including getting swept over the weekend in Minneapolis. They are a bottom-five team in production early in the season despite being a top-six team in expected production. However, that means there is some progression in store for the pale horse. They are still mightily favored to win the AL Central despite the 6-9 start. They have a dangerous lineup that has been underperforming. They have also been dealing with injuries to some of their best hitters to start the year. However, they are 4-2 at home this year in series against two formidable opponents in the Mariners and Rays. This is a perfect get-right spot for the White Sox.
The White Sox will start Dallas Keuchel, who is coming off a rough outing against the Guardians, where he gave up 10 earned runs in one inning of work. Of course, the infield committed a million errors in that inning which didn't help. That outing was on the road, and Keuchel has always been better at home. He Had a 4.8 ERA at home last year with a 1.4 WHIP and a 5.75 ERA on the road with a 1.67 WHIP. Keuchel faced the Royals at home last year and went six innings with two earned runs. Then, in his next start against the Royals on the road, he went three innings with five earned runs, furthering the point he always pitches better at home. A bounce-back is in store for Keuchel after the lousy outing.
The White Sox have astonishing batting splits. The White Sox are second overall in OPS (.848) and batting average (.290) against left-handed pitching and even better at home in that split. There's a severe drop-off when facing righties. The White Sox drop all the way to 29th in OPS and batting average when facing righties, only ahead of the Cincinnati Reds. From second against lefties to 29th against righties. That's one of the more severe splits I have ever noticed. Tonight, they face Daniel Lynch, a lefty pitcher who has struggled in the big leagues.
Daniel Lynch went 15 starts last season with a 5.69 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP. Lynch had three starts against the White Sox last year; here's how they went:
5/8/2021: 0.2 IP, 8 ER, 1 HR, 1 BB
8/5/2021: 5 IP, 1 ER, 1 HR, 2 BB
9/4/2021: 2.2 IP, 6 ER, 2 HR, 3 BB
Lynch has struggled heavily against the White Sox. 8.1 total innings pitched with 15 earned runs and four home runs allowed. Given the White Sox's success against lefties recently and their success at home, Lynch could be in for another rough outing.
The White Sox need a win. I know the Royals are also on a losing streak, but the White Sox haven't won since April 16th. This is a perfect spot for them. They're back at home and get to face a lefty. They have terrific numbers against Lynch, and Keuchel has pitched better at home. This is the White Sox bounce-back spot, and I expect them to get ahead early.
Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals Best Bet
Pick: White Sox First 5 -.5 @ +100 (Bet $100 to win $100)
Article Author
Ben Rajavuori is a handicapper out of Minneapolis, MN. He has been creating sports content for almost four years now and is an expert in all things NFL, MLB, NBA, UFC, and NCAAB. Ben thrives on diving deep into statistics to find the best angle on every bet. You can follow him on Twitter @WeBeatTheSpread.