Free MLB Picks Today: Chicago White Sox vs Kansas City Royals 8/31/22

Free MLB Picks Today: Chicago White Sox vs Kansas City Royals 8/31/22
Wed 31st August 2022

The Kansas City Royals (-130) are on the road to face the Chicago White Sox (+110) at Guaranteed Rate Field on Wednesday. The early total has been set at 8.5 with the under a -115 favorite.The Royals (53-77) took Tuesday’s series opener 9-7, their fourth straight head-to-head victory and 10th in 17 games this season. Reliever Jose Cuas threw 1.1 scoreless innings to get the win.Nick Pratto was 4 for 5 with two home runs and a double in the win. He scored three runs and had three RBIs. Salvador Perez went 3 for 5 with a home run and a double. He drove in three runs. Gavin Sheets went 2 for 5 with two home runs and five RBIs for the White Sox (63-66). Eloy Jimenez went 3 for 5 with a home run, two runs, and two RBIs.

ON THE MOUND

Kris Bubic (2-9, 5.62 ERA) is in line to get the start for Kansas City. The southpaw allowed six runs over four innings in his last start, a 13-5 road defeat against the Padres on Friday. He took the loss, yielding nine hits while striking out three and walking one.Bubic has made one previous start against the White Sox this season, an 8-3 home victory on August 10. He surrendered three runs on seven hits over 5.2 innings, striking out six and walking three.Righty Lance Lynn (3-5, 5.30 ERA) gets the start for Chicago. He has made two appearances against the Royals this season, both as the starter, giving up five runs over 12 innings (1-1, 3.75) with 13 strikeouts and one walk.In his last start on Thursday, Lynn took a no-decision on the road against the Orioles. He threw six innings and gave up two runs (1 ER) on three hits, striking out eight and walking one in the 4-3 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Kansas City has averaged 7.4 runs a game, up from their season average of 3.9, while performing better across the board (.309/.365/.503). Against right-handed pitchers like Lynn this season, the Royals have a .674 OPS, fourth lowest in the league. Bobby Witt Jr. is the team’s strongest hitter against right-handers with a .737 OPS in 348 at-bats.Chicago is averaging only 3.8 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 4.2 for the season. The Sox have a .765 OPS against lefties in 2022. With a .904 OPS over 89 at-bats, Jose Abreu has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Kansas City is 21-40 away from Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium in 2022, scoring 3.8 runs per game while allowing 5.2 runs. Chicago has lost six in a row in front of their home fans. The Sox are 30-35 at home this season, averaging 4.1 runs per game while surrendering 5.3. In the last 10 meetings at Guaranteed Rate Field, Kansas City is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 4.1-4.0.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Royals are fourth in the AL Central, 16 games behind the division-leading Guardians. The White Sox are third in the AL Central, six games behind the Guardians.

SportsTips’ MLB Pick:

Chicago White Sox (-190)

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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.

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