The Kansas City Royals (14-32) are on the road to face the Chicago White Sox (17-29) at Guaranteed Rate Field on Saturday. The White Sox took Friday’s series opener 2-0, their second head-to-head victory in five games this season.
Michael Kopech threw eight scoreless innings – striking out 10 – for the win, and Kendall Graveman earned his third save with a scoreless ninth. Andrew Vaughn went 1 for 2 with one run in the win. Michael Massey had the only hit for Kansas City, going 1 for 3 for the Royals.
ON THE MOUND
Jordan Lyles (0-7, 7.14 ERA) is set to take the mound for Kansas City. The righty allowed seven runs over 2.1 innings in his last start, a 9-6 home defeat against the Brewers on Sunday. He was charged with the loss, giving up four hits while striking out two and walking three.
Lyles went the distance in his only previous start against the White Sox this season, a 4-2 home loss on May 9. He allowed four runs on six hits, but he was stuck with the loss. For Chicago, righty Lucas Giolito (2-3, 3.86 ERA) will toe the rubber.
He has made one prior start against the Royals this season, giving up two runs over six innings in a 4-2 road win on May 9. He gave up five hits and walked two, while striking out nine in the win.
In his last start on Sunday, Giolito took the loss at home against the Astros. He threw six innings and gave up four runs on seven hits, striking out six, in the 4-3 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Kansas City has averaged 3.0 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 4.0. Against righties like Giolito this season, the Royals have a .650 OPS, second lowest in MLB.
Salvador Perez is the team’s best hitter against right-handers with a .832 OPS in 124 at-bats. Chicago is averaging only 4.2 runs per game in the last five, consistent with their season average.
The Sox have a .686 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .842 OPS over 100 at-bats, Yasmani Grandal has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Kansas City is 8-15 in road games in 2023, scoring 3.6 runs per game while allowing 4.8 runs. Chicago has gone 10-13 at their home ballpark this season, averaging 4.3 runs per game while surrendering 5.7. Chicago is 6-4 in the last 10 games at Guaranteed Rate Field between the AL Central rivals with an average scoreline of 4.3-3.1.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Royals are fifth in the AL Central, 10 games behind the division-leading Twins. The White Sox are fourth in the AL Central, seven games behind the Twins.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Chicago White Sox (-200)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
