Free MLB Picks Today: Kansas City Royals vs Chicago White Sox 5/8/23

The Kansas City Royals (9-26), one of the lowest-scoring lineups in baseball, are set to host the Chicago White Sox (12-23) at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium on Monday to open a four-game series. The White Sox are in the midst of a seven-game road trip.

They won two out of three in their last series against the Reds, taking the finale 17-4 on Sunday at Great American Ball Park. Hanser Alberto was 4 for 4 with a home run and two doubles. He scored two runs and had four RBIs.

Luis Robert Jr. added a double, four runs, and two RBIs, walking twice. The Royals are kicking off the final series of their 10-game homestand. They lost two of three against the Athletics in their last series, taking the finale 5-1 on Sunday at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium.

Salvador Perez went 3 for 4 with a home run and three runs. The teams are meeting for the first time this season. The Royals won the 2022 season series between the AL Central rivals (10-9), although they dropped two out of three in their most recent meeting at Guaranteed Rate Field at the end of August.

ON THE MOUND

Dylan Cease (2-1, 4.58 ERA) is slated for the start for Chicago. The RHP allowed four runs over five innings in his last start, a 6-4 home win over the Twins on Wednesday. He gave up five hits while striking out six and walking four in the no-decision.

Over three starts against the Royals in 2022, Cease was 1-1 with a 1.53 ERA over 17.2 innings. He had 26 strikeouts and seven walks.RHP Zack Greinke (1-4, 5.25 ERA) will toe the rubber for Kansas City.

Greinke made three appearances against the White Sox in 2022, all as the starter, striking out 13 and walking one over 18 innings (1-0, 2.50). In his last start on Wednesday, Greinke got the win at home against the Orioles. He threw five scoreless innings and gave up three hits, striking out three, in the 6-0 triumph.

AT THE PLATE

The Chicago offense is averaging 4.4 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .234/.300/.379. Yasmani Grandal leads the team in OPS at .790. The first baseman is slashing .265/.351/.439 with three home runs, 11 RBIs, and 11 runs over 31 games.

Over the last five games, however, Chicago has averaged 6.8 runs a game while performing better across the board (.283/.350/.478). Against right-handed pitchers like Greinke this season, the Sox have a .660 OPS. Grandal also is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .825 OPS in 76 at-bats.

Kansas City is slashing .233/.297/.384 for the season and averaging 3.9 runs per game, fifth lowest in MLB. Vinnie Pasquantino leads the team with ann .891 OPS. The second baseman has six home runs, 16 RBIs, and 17 runs scored with a slash line of .282/.375/.516.

Kansas City is averaging 6.6 runs per game in the last five with an improved slash line (.316/.396/.563). The Royals have a .646 OPS against right-handers in 2023, fourth lowest in the league. With a .887 OPS over 91 at-bats, Pasquantino also has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Chicago is 6-13 in away games in 2023, scoring 4.3 runs per game while allowing 5.0 runs. Kansas City has gone 3-16 at home this season, averaging 3.8 runs per game while surrendering 6.5. In the last 10 games at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium between the teams, Kansas City is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 4.0-3.3.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The White Sox are fourth in the AL Central, eight games behind the division-leading Twins. The Royals are fifth in the AL Central, 11 games behind the Twins.