Royals vs. White Sox Friday Prediction
A pair of bad American League Central rivals will meet in Chicago on Friday night when the White Sox host the Royals at 8:10 p.m. ET. Will the Royals pull off the small upset.
Game Snapshot & Odds
921 Kansas City Royals (+105) at 922 Chicago White Sox (-125); 9 runs
Friday, July 13, 2018
8:10 p.m. ET, Target Field
TV: KC (FSKC); CWS (WGN)
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Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbooks currently list the White Sox as a -125 favorite. As of this writing, 65% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the White Sox to beat the Royals on the moneyline. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on this game.
Royals’ Keller struggles in no-decision against White Sox
Brad Keller walked five and gave up six hits, allowing four runs, over 4 2/3 innings in a no-decision Saturday against the Red Sox. In a lot of ways Keller was fortunate to escape with just four runs allowed and a no-decision, as the potent Sox offense doesn’t often squander so many baserunners. They certainly didn’t after Keller exited, eventually putting up 15 runs and 16 hits to make it a one-sided affair. Keller had turned in three quality starts — and a couple of really good ones at that — heading into Saturday’s game, so this one qualifies as an outlier. He’ll take a 2.52 ERA into his last start of the first half, Friday against the White Sox.
White Sox’ Shields pounded for eight runs in loss
James Shields was bludgeoned for eight runs in 5 2/3 innings and took a well-deserved loss to the Astros on Saturday. He served up a three-run bomb to Yuli Gurriel in the third inning and a two-run dinger to Alex Bregman in the sixth. The Astros had a hard time hitting him but when they made contact it was booming contact. He struck out nine batters but allowed 10 hits — six of which were extra-base hits. Shields had allowed just one run over 13 2/3 innings in his last two starts but he was back to his normal batting practice ways in this one. Any trade value he may have generated recently is probably out the window now. He is 3-10 with a 4.53 ERA in 19 starts and one relief appearance on the season.
MLB Betting Trends
Kansas City
The Royals are just 2-6 in their last eight games versus the White Sox.
Chicago
The White Sox have lost five of Shields’ last seven starts against the division.
Prediction:
Keller has pitched well over his last 31 innings, posting a 2.90 ERA and 1.35 WHIP. He has generated many strike outs (16) but he’s also keeping the ball in the yard (zero home runs). Shields, meanwhile, owns a 4.20 ERA and 1.43 WHIP over his last 30 innings and has allowed five home runs during that time frame. He’s also 1-3 over that span. I’ll take a shot on KC.
The Pick: Kansas City Royals +105