Daniel Mengden is lined up for his first start of the season as theKansas City Royals (-110) match up against theChicago White Sox (-110) at Guaranteed Rate Field on Thursday with the three-game series in the balance. The early total was set at 9 runs (O: -110 | U: -110).The White Sox (64-66) leveled the series 1-1 after winning 4-2 on Wednesday, their eighth head-to-head victory in 18 games this season. Starter Lance Lynn went seven innings, giving up one run on four hits and striking out eight, to get the win, and Liam Hendriks picked up his 29th save.Elvis Andrus went 1 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs in the win. Michael A. Taylor was 2 for 4 with a triple and one run for the Royals (53-78).
ON THE MOUND
Mengden (0-0, 2.08 ERA) is in line for his first start of the season for Kansas City. The right-hander allowed one run in two innings of relief in his last appearance, a 9-7 home defeat against the Athletics on June 25. He yielded four hits while striking out three.For Chicago, righty Johnny Cueto (6-6, 2.98 ERA) is on the mound. He has made two appearances against the Royals this season, both starts, giving up three runs (2 ER) over 12 innings (0-0, 1.50) with 11 strikeouts and three walks.In his last start on Friday, Cueto took the loss at home against the Diamondbacks. He threw five innings and gave up seven runs on five hits, striking out four and walking two in the 7-2 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Kansas City has averaged 6.8 runs a game, up from their season average of 3.9, while slashing better across the board (.299/.345/.495). Against right-handed pitchers like Cueto this season, the Royals have a .674 OPS, fourth lowest in MLB. Bobby Witt Jr. is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .737 OPS in 348 at-bats.Chicago is averaging only 4.0 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 4.2 for the season. The Sox have a .683 OPS against right-handers in 2022. With ann .825 OPS over 397 at-bats, Jose Abreu has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Kansas City is 21-41 in road games in 2022, scoring 3.8 runs per game while allowing 5.2 runs. Chicago has gone 31-35 at Guaranteed Rate Field 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 4.2-3.7.
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, five games behind the Guardians.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Chicago White Sox (-200)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
