White Sox vs. Royals MLB Odds, Picks, Predictions: Back Kopech, Lynch to Stifle Offenses (Monday, August 22)
Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images. Pictured: Michael Kopech (White Sox)
- The Kansas City Royals host the Chicago White Sox in a matchup of AL Central foes.
- The under has hit at a significant rate in prior matchups between these two teams, so the total is certainly worth taking a look at.
- Tony Sartori breaks down Monday's contest and shares his best bet below.
White Sox vs. Royals Odds
| White Sox Odds | -150 |
| Royals Odds | +125 |
| Over/Under | 8.5 (-105/-115) |
| Time | 2:10 p.m. ET |
| TV | MLB.TV |
| Odds via BetMGM. Get up-to-the-minute MLB odds here. | |
We have an AL Central showdown as the Kansas City Royals host the Chicago White Sox. This is the 16th meeting between these clubs this season and there have been eight or fewer total runs scored in 11 of the previous 15 matchups (73%).
Will we get another low-scoring affair, or will the bats pick up the pace?
Chicago White Sox: Expect Kopech to Dominate Again
The Chicago White Sox have been involved in many low-scoring contests of late as there have been eight or fewer runs scored in 14 of their past 18 games (78%). I expect this trend to continue with right-hander Michael Kopech slated to take the mound for Chicago.
Through 22 starts this season, Kopech is 4-9 with a 3.25 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. Kopech enters Monday's game in great form and I expect more impressive results.
Over his past seven starts, Kopech is 2-3 with a 3.08 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. He also boasts a .303 xwOBA, .210 xBA and a .365 xSLG on the year.
Additionally, Kopech has been great against the Royals this season, posting a 3.00 ERA and a 1.17 WHP through two starts.
However, Kopech may not get much run support as the White Sox are slated to go against left-hander Daniel Lynch. Since July 1, Chicago ranks 24th in the league in SLG, 20th in OPS, 19th in wOBA and 18th in hard-hit percentage when facing left-handed pitchers.
Kansas City Royals: Can Lynch Continue Strong Stretch?
Like the White Sox, the Kansas City Royals have recently been involved in many low-scoring affairs. There have been eight or fewer runs scored in 10 of the Royals past 14 games (71%). As mentioned above, left-hander Daniel Lynch is slated to take the mound for Kansas City.
Through 19 starts this season, Lynch is 4-8 with a 4.52 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. While those are obviously not strong numbers, Lynch has been throwing better recently.
Over his past eight starts, Lynch is 2-2 with a 3.18 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. This strong stretch should continue as he has dominated the White Sox this season.
In two starts against Chicago, Lynch is 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP. However, he probably won't get much run support in this game as the Royals are slated to go against right-hander Michael Kopech.
Since July 1, Kansas City ranks just 19th in the league in SLG, 20th in OPS, 20th in wOBA and 16th in hard-hit percentage when facing right-handed pitchers. Through 53 career plate appearances against Kopech, this current Royals roster possesses a mere .163 BA, .347 SLG and a .236 wOBA.
White Sox-Royals Pick
We are going with the under in this contest. Kopech is a stud, enters this game in good form and has succeeded against Kansas City this season.
We are getting a generous number on the total because of Lynch's year-long stats. However, he has started to turn it around and has also had success against the White Sox.
Additionally, both of these lineups have struggled to hit over the past few months and the matchups in this contest favor the pitchers. With all the trends pointing toward a low-scoring game, let's play the under.
Pick: White Sox/Royals u8.5 (-105) | Play up to (-120)
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