Friday, July 17, 2015

U.S. Cellular Field

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Edinson Volquez (8-4) vs. Jeff Samardzija (6-4)

The Chicago White Sox welcome the Kansas City Royals to U.S. Cellular Field on Friday. The probable starters are Edinson Volquez for the Royals and Jeff Samardzija for the White Sox. The opening line for this matchup has Kansas City at -130 and Chicago at +120. The over/under was set at 8.5. The Royals have a 38-38 over/under record and a 49-37 run line mark, meaning they cover 57% of the time. The White Sox have a 33-49 over/under record and a 38-48 run line mark, which means they are covering the spread 44% of the time.

The Royals show up with a 52-34 record, including 22-18 on the road. Starting pitcher Edinson Volquez holds a 8-4 record with an earned run average of 3.31 and a WHIP of 1.24. He's pitched 106 innings thus far while surrendering 92 hits over that time and when he starts, the Royals are 13-5. The Royals are also 9-6 against the over/under in his starts. The team is averaging 5.4 runs when he starts. The bullpen has given up 208 hits on the season and have a earned run average of 2.18. Opposing teams are hitting .200 against the Royals bullpen while walking 97 times and striking out 258 times. Kansas City is averaging 6.83 strikeouts per game while getting 8.15 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 7th in baseball in team earned run average at 3.52.

Kansas City is batting .274 as a team, which is good for 2nd in the league and hitting .266 away from home. The Royals on-base percentage sits at .324, which puts them at 5th in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .408. Alcides Escobar leads the team in hits with 92 while the team ranks 2nd in baseball with 9.34 hits per game.

Chicago is 23-17 at home while holding a 41-45 overall record on the season. With an earned run average of 4.02, Jeff Samardzija will come into this game holding a 6-4 record and a 1.22 WHIP. He's pitched 125.1 innings thus far while surrendering 130 hits over that time in which the White Sox are 9-9. The White Sox are also 9-8 against the over/under in his starts. The team is averaging 3.8 runs when he takes the field. The bullpen has given up 231 hits on the season and have a team earned run average of 3.71. Opposing teams are hitting .263 against the White Sox bullpen while walking 86 times and striking out 214 times. Chicago is averaging 8.52 strikeouts per game while getting 9.05 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 18th in the league in team earned run average at 3.90.

They are batting .241 as a team, which is good for 24th in the league and hitting .237 at home. The White Sox on-base percentage sits at .294, which puts them at 30th in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .355. Jose Abreu leads the team in hits with 95 while the team ranks 25th in baseball with 8.1 hits a game.

In terms of team defense, the Royals have a fielding percentage of .984 with 50 total errors, 843 assists and 2,286 put outs. The White Sox have committed 58 errors on the season with 855 assists and 2,298 put outs leading to a team fielding percentage of .982 on the year.

Kansas City Royals Betting Trends

The Kansas City Royals are 38-38 against the over/under so far this season

The Kansas City Royals are 49-37 against the run line so far this season

Chicago White Sox Betting Trends

The Chicago White Sox are 33-49 against the over/under so far this season

The Chicago White Sox are 38-48 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Kansas City Royals

07/09/15 LF Alex Gordon Groin Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/9)
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)
04/04/15 P Kris Medlen Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/07)

Chicago White Sox

07/13/15 1B Jose Abreu Hand missed last game, probable Friday vs. Kansas City Royals
07/08/15 P Javy Guerra Suspension expected to miss 50 games
04/25/15 P Matt Albers Finger Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (4/20)
04/04/15 P Nate Jones Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27)

Tony's Pick: Take the White Sox

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