Sunday, September 6, 2015

Kauffman Stadium

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Erik Johnson (0-0) vs. Johnny Cueto (2-4)

The Kansas City Royals welcome the Chicago White Sox to Kauffman Stadium on Sunday. The probable starters are Erik Johnson for the White Sox and Johnny Cueto for the Royals. The opening line for this matchup has Chicago at +180 and Kansas City at -190. The over/under was set at 7.5. The White Sox have a 64-65 over/under record and a 64-69 run line mark, meaning they cover 48% of the time. The Royals have a 59-62 over/under record and a 75-59 run line mark, which means they are covering the spread 56% of the time.

The White Sox come into this game with a 63-70 record, and they are 30-38 away from home. Starting pitcher Erik Johnson is making is season debut for Chicago. The bullpen has given up 343 hits on the season and have an earned run average of 3.37. Opposing teams are hitting .249 against the White Sox bullpen while walking 138 times and striking out 346 times. Chicago is averaging 8.53 strikeouts per game while getting 8.96 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 17th in baseball in team earned run average at 3.95.

Chicago ranks 19th in the league in team batting average at .252 while hitting .258 on the road. The White Sox on-base percentage sits at .306, which puts them at 25th in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .382. Jose Abreu leads the team in hits with 149 while the team ranks 16th in baseball with 8.64 hits per game.

With a 82-52 overall record, Kansas City will come into this game 47-23 at home. With an earned run average of 4.21, Johnny Cueto will come into this game holding a 2-4 record and a 1.26 WHIP. In his starts, the Royals are 2-5 and he has allowed 54 hits over 47 innings pitched this season. Against the over/under, the Royals are 5-2 when he starts. His teammates score an average of 4.6 runs a game when he pitches. The bullpen has given up 333 hits on the season and have a team earned run average of 2.45. Opposing teams are hitting .206 against the Royals bullpen while walking 139 times and striking out 407 times. Kansas City is averaging 7.09 strikeouts per game while getting 8.4 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 7th in the league in team earned run average at 3.64.

They rank 1st in the league in team batting average with a .272 average while hitting .285 at home. The Royals on-base percentage sits at .325, which puts them at 8th in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .412. Eric Hosmer leads the team in hits with 154 while the team ranks 3rd in baseball with 9.31 hits a game.

In terms of team defense, the White Sox have a fielding percentage of .983 with 83 total errors, 1,338 assists and 3,573 put outs. The Royals have committed 73 errors on the season with 1,330 assists and 3,586 put outs leading to a team fielding percentage of .985 on the year.

Chicago White Sox Betting Trends

The Chicago White Sox are 64-65 against the over/under so far this season

The Chicago White Sox are 64-69 against the run line so far this season

Kansas City Royals Betting Trends

The Kansas City Royals are 59-62 against the over/under so far this season

The Kansas City Royals are 75-59 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Chicago White Sox

08/30/15 P Zach Putnam Groin Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/27)
07/08/15 P Javy Guerra Suspension expected to miss 50 games
04/06/15 SS Justin Sellers Heel Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27)

Kansas City Royals

09/05/15 3B Mike Moustakas Hamstring is downgraded to not expected to be in the starting lineup Saturday vs. Chicago White Sox
09/02/15 P Kelvin Herrera Illness expected to miss 1-2 weeks
09/01/15 RF Alex Rios Illness expected to miss 1-2 weeks
07/22/15 P Jason Vargas Elbow Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/22); out for season
05/17/15 P Brian Flynn Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (5/16)
04/06/15 P Tim Collins Elbow Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (4/6)

Josh's Pick: Take the Royals

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