Sunday, May 29, 2016

Kauffman Stadium

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Chris Sale vs. Edinson Volquez

The Chicago White Sox visit Kauffman Stadium on Sunday to play the Kansas City Royals. The probable starters are Chris Sale for the White Sox and Edinson Volquez for the Royals. The opening line for this matchup has Chicago at -140 and Kansas City at +130. The over/under was set at 7.5. The White Sox have a 20-26-3 over/under record and a 24-25-0 run line mark, meaning they cover 49% of the time. The Royals are 25-22-0 against the run line and have a 18-26-3 over/under record. They cover the spread 53% of the time.

The White Sox head into this matchup with a 27-22 record, including 14-10 on the road. Starting pitcher Chris Sale has a 9-1 record with an earned run average of 2.26 and a WHIP of 0.84. He has 69 strikeouts over his 71.2 innings pitched and he has given up 46 hits so far this season. He has allowed 5.8 hits per 9 innings and he has a FIP of 2.96. The bullpen this year has an earned run average of 2.85 and they have given up 107 base hits on the year. Teams are hitting .214 against the bullpen while being struck out 117 times and walking 50 times this season. As a team, Chicago has allowed 8.1 hits per nine innings while striking out 7.68 batters per nine. They are 5th in the league in team earned run average at 3.41. The White Sox pitchers have collectively given up 394 base hits and 166 earned runs. They have allowed 45 home runs this season and they allow 0.9 homers per nine innings as a staff. Chicago as a pitching staff has walked 140 batters and struck out 374. They walk 2.9 men per 9 innings while striking out 7.7 per 9. They have a team WHIP of 1.22 and their FIP as a unit is 3.78.

As a team, Chicago is batting .248, good for 16th in the league while putting together a .261 average away from home. The White Sox hold a .389 team slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .319 which is good for 15th in baseball. They rank 16th in baseball with 8.39 hits per game. Adam Eaton comes into this game hitting .286 and his on-base percentage is at .367. He has 54 hits this season along with 20 runs scored and 15 runs batted in. He's struck out 28 times and has walked 19 times. Melky Cabrera is hitting .293 and he has an on-base percentage of .360. He has totaled 54 hits so far while scoring 24 runs and he's driven in 24. He has walked 19 times and has struck out 19 times. The White Sox have 411 hits, including 78 doubles and 44 home runs. They've stolen 20 bases while they've been thrown out stealing 10 times. Chicago has walked 161 times this season and they've struck out 385 times as a unit. They've left 353 men on base and have a team OPS of .708. They score 4.1 runs per contest and have scored a total of 201 runs so far this year.

Kansas City comes into this matchup with a 14-7 home record and a 25-22 overall mark. With an earned run average of 3.67, Edinson Volquez has a 5-4 record and a 1.39 WHIP. He has 49 strikeouts over the 61.1 innings he's pitched during which he has given up 63 hits. He has allowed 9.2 hits per nine innings and his FIP stands at 3.88. So far this season the bullpen has an earned run average of 2.44 and they have given up 140 base hits on the year. Teams are hitting .227 against the Royals bullpen while being struck out 167 times and walking 56 times this season. As a team, Kansas City has allowed 8.46 hits per nine innings while striking out 8.3 batters per nine. They are 11th in the league in team earned run average at 3.81. The Royals pitchers as a team have surrendered 388 base knocks and 175 earned runs so far this season. They have given up 49 home runs this year and they give up 1.1 home runs per nine innings as a staff. Kansas City as a staff has walked 167 hitters and struck out 381. They give up a walk 3.6 times per 9 innings while they strike out 8.3 per 9. Their team WHIP is 1.34 while their FIP as a staff is 4.13.

As a team, they are batting .264, good for 7th in the league while putting together a .254 average at home. The Royals hold a .399 team slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .312 which is good for 21st in baseball. They rank 8th in baseball with 9 hits per contest. Eric Hosmer comes into this matchup batting .307 and he has an OBP of .359. He has 55 hits this year along with 25 runs scored and 27 RBI. He's struck out 38 times and has walked on 15 occasions. Alcides Escobar is hitting .270 and he has an OBP of .299. He has collected 55 hits so far while he's scored 19 runs and drove in 13. He has earned a walk 8 times and has punched out 30 times. The Royals as a unit have 423 base hits, including 79 doubles and 40 homers. They have 34 stolen bases while they've been thrown out 10 times. Kansas City as a team has walked 102 times this year and they have struck out 335 times. They've had 308 men left on base and have an OPS of .710. They score 3.85 runs per game and have totaled 181 runs so far this season.

Chicago White Sox Betting Trends

The Chicago White Sox are 20-26-3 against the over/under so far this season

The Chicago White Sox are 24-25-0 against the run line so far this season

Kansas City Royals Betting Trends

The Kansas City Royals are 18-26-3 against the over/under so far this season

The Kansas City Royals are 25-22-0 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Chicago White Sox

05/06/16 P Jacob Petricka Hip 15-day DL (5/2)
04/27/16 C Kevan Smith Pelvis 15-day DL (4/24)

Kansas City Royals

05/27/16 DH Kendrys Morales Finger out indefinitely
05/26/16 3B Mike Moustakas Knee 15-day DL (5/23); out for season
05/23/16 LF Alex Gordon Wrist 15-day DL (5/22)
05/12/16 P Kris Medlen Shoulder 15-day DL (5/10)
04/10/16 P Mike Minor Shoulder 60-day DL (3/15)
04/04/16 P Tim Collins Elbow 60-day DL; out for season
03/31/16 P Jason Vargas Elbow 60-day DL (3/15)

Josh's Pick: Take the Royals

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald