The Royals look to finish off their sweep of the White Sox in Kauffman Stadium tonight, and everything points to another solid victory for Kansas City. With Wacha on the mound and an offense that’s clicking late in games, it’s tough to imagine the White Sox turning it around here. Below, I’ve got my preview, prediction, and best bet for this Wendesday night baseball game between the Royals and the White Sox.
Here’s how I’ll play it. I’ll be pumping out these predictions for individual games all season, with plenty of coverage here on DraftKings Network. Follow my handle @dansby_edits for more betting plays.
Royals vs. White Sox prediction, preview
The Royals have put the pedal to the metal recently. They’ve seen an offensive resurgence, with a 103 wRC+ (league average is 100), and a .739 OPS, good for 11th in MLB. Bobby Witt Jr. has been a driving force, hitting .326 with a .356 OBP. This offense isn’t about the long ball but efficient scoring. Despite that, they’ve hit 38 home runs, ranking 13th in the league. The Royals are making noise at the plate, and that’s trouble for the White Sox.
On the mound, Michael Wacha’s been rock solid, particularly at home. His 3.00 ERA there, combined with a 2.75 FIP against bottom-tier offenses, shows he thrives in favorable matchups. The White Sox offense is a major liability. They sit 24th in runs per game (4.4), and 28th in batting average (.217). Their wRC+ of 82 (second-worst in MLB) speaks volumes. With a 26.2% strikeout rate (29th in the league), they can’t make consistent contact. Luis Robert’s been the only bright spot. But even his impressive power is undermined by a 30% K-rate.
Jonathan Cannon, the White Sox’s starter, hasn’t been able to handle the heat. His 6.35 ERA and 1.65 WHIP on the road highlight his control issues. More concerning is his 2.5 HR/9 on the road, setting up a nightmare matchup against a Royals lineup that knows how to take advantage of mistakes. Vinnie Pasquantino and Witt Jr. will be licking their chops.
And, at the back-end, the Royals’ bullpen, ranked fourth in ERA (3.04), will slam the door shut on any White Sox rally. They allow just 0.92 HR/9, the 5th-best rate in the league. Meanwhile, the White Sox bullpen sits at 24th in ERA (4.73), and they’ve walked 4.4 batters per nine. Any free base runners will be a liability against a Royals offense that capitalizes.
White Sox vs. Royals pick, best bet
At home, Kansas City has thrived, winning 13 of their first 18 games at Kauffman Stadium. They’re 8-3 in their last 11 games against teams with a losing record, too, and they’ve been the far more consistent team across the board.
With the White Sox limping offensively and the Royals’ pitching set to dominate, Kansas City should take care of business here. Lock in the Royals to win and cover.
Best bet: Royals -1.5 (+100) vs. White Sox
There’s only one team in Chicago that can win—tail it with me in the DKN Betting Group here!
