Saturday, September 17, 2016

Kauffman Stadium

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Miguel Gonzalez vs. Jason Vargas

The Chicago White Sox visit Kauffman Stadium on Saturday to play the Kansas City Royals. The probable starters are Miguel Gonzalez for the White Sox and Jason Vargas for the Royals. The White Sox have a 68-71-7 over/under record and a 74-72-0 run line mark, meaning they cover 51% of the time. The Royals are 77-69-0 against the run line and have a 67-71-8 over/under record. They cover the spread 53% of the time.

The White Sox head into this matchup with a 71-75 record, including 30-42 on the road. Starting pitcher Miguel Gonzalez has a 4-6 record with an earned run average of 3.82 and a WHIP of 1.30. He has 86 strikeouts over his 115.1 innings pitched and he has given up 115 hits so far this season. He has allowed 9 hits per 9 innings and he has a FIP of 3.79. The bullpen this year has an earned run average of 3.63 and they have given up 406 base hits on the year. Teams are hitting .247 against the bullpen while being struck out 400 times and walking 207 times this season. As a team, Chicago has allowed 8.84 hits per nine innings while striking out 7.89 batters per nine. They are 9th in the league in team earned run average at 4.04. The White Sox pitchers have collectively given up 1,285 base hits and 588 earned runs. They have allowed 171 home runs this season and they allow 1.2 homers per nine innings as a staff. Chicago as a pitching staff has walked 481 batters and struck out 1,147. They walk 3.3 men per 9 innings while striking out 7.9 per 9. They have a team WHIP of 1.35 and their FIP as a unit is 4.31.

As a team, Chicago is batting .257, good for 14th in the league while putting together a .253 average away from home. The White Sox hold a .406 team slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .318 which is good for 22nd in baseball. They rank 14th in baseball with 8.8 hits per game. Melky Cabrera comes into this game hitting .297 and his on-base percentage is at .347. He has 157 hits this season along with 61 runs scored and 71 runs batted in. He's struck out 63 times and has walked 43 times. Jose Abreu is hitting .299 and he has an on-base percentage of .352. He has totaled 170 hits so far while scoring 61 runs and he's driven in 95. He has walked 38 times and has struck out 114 times. The White Sox have 1,284 hits, including 249 doubles and 147 home runs. They've stolen 70 bases while they've been thrown out stealing 31 times. Chicago has walked 415 times this season and they've struck out 1,162 times as a unit. They've left 1,004 men on base and have a team OPS of .723. They score 4.2 runs per contest and have scored a total of 613 runs so far this year.

Kansas City comes into this matchup with a 42-29 home record and a 74-72 overall mark. Jason Vargas is making his season debut for the Royals. So far this season the bullpen has an earned run average of 3.41 and they have given up 447 base hits on the year. Teams are hitting .242 against the Royals bullpen while being struck out 457 times and walking 164 times this season. As a team, Kansas City has allowed 8.88 hits per nine innings while striking out 8.05 batters per nine. They are 17th in the league in team earned run average at 4.20. The Royals pitchers as a team have surrendered 1,280 base knocks and 605 earned runs so far this season. They have given up 188 home runs this year and they give up 1.3 home runs per nine innings as a staff. Kansas City as a staff has walked 455 hitters and struck out 1,161. They give up a walk 3.2 times per 9 innings while they strike out 8.1 per 9. Their team WHIP is 1.34 while their FIP as a staff is 4.41.

As a team, they are batting .261, good for 9th in the league while putting together a .273 average at home. The Royals hold a .398 team slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .313 which is good for 25th in baseball. They rank 9th in baseball with 8.95 hits per contest. Alcides Escobar comes into this matchup batting .269 and he has an OBP of .301. He has 157 hits this year along with 53 runs scored and 49 RBI. He's struck out 86 times and has walked on 26 occasions. Eric Hosmer is hitting .274 and he has an OBP of .339. He has collected 151 hits so far while he's scored 75 runs and drove in 91. He has earned a walk 55 times and has punched out 118 times. The Royals as a unit have 1,306 base hits, including 239 doubles and 132 homers. They have 105 stolen bases while they've been thrown out 30 times. Kansas City as a team has walked 354 times this year and they have struck out 1,096 times. They've had 962 men left on base and have an OPS of .711. They score 4.11 runs per game and have totaled 600 runs so far this season.

Chicago White Sox Betting Trends

The Chicago White Sox are 68-71-7 against the over/under so far this season

The Chicago White Sox are 74-72-0 against the run line so far this season

Kansas City Royals Betting Trends

The Kansas City Royals are 67-71-8 against the over/under so far this season

The Kansas City Royals are 77-69-0 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Chicago White Sox

08/03/16 CF Charlie Tilson Hamstring 15-day DL (8/3)
07/27/16 2B Brett Lawrie Hamstring 15-day DL (7/22)
07/01/16 3B Matt Davidson Foot 60-day DL (6/30)
06/21/16 P Zach Putnam Elbow 15-day DL (6/21)
06/10/16 CF Austin Jackson Knee 15-day DL (6/10)
05/06/16 P Jacob Petricka Hip 60-day DL (5/2)

Kansas City Royals

09/11/16 CF Lorenzo Cain Wrist out indefinitely
08/31/16 P Chien-Ming Wang Bicep 15-day DL (8/31)
07/29/16 P Luke Hochevar Shoulder 60-day DL (7/25)
07/19/16 P Kris Medlen Shoulder 60-day DL (5/11)
05/26/16 3B Mike Moustakas Knee 60-day DL (5/23); out for season
04/10/16 P Mike Minor Shoulder 60-day DL (3/15); out for season
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)

Guy's Pick: Take the White Sox

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