Free MLB Picks Today: Kansas City Royals vs Chicago White Sox 5/9/23

The Kansas City Royals (10-26) host the Chicago White Sox (12-24) at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday. The Royals took Monday’s series opener 12-5. Reliever Jose Cuas threw 0.1 scoreless innings to get the win.

Jackie Bradley Jr. went 3 for 4 with two doubles, two runs, and two RBIs in the win. Nick Pratto added a double, one run, and three RBIs. Gavin Sheets was 1 for 3 with a solo home run for the White Sox.

ON THE MOUND

Lucas Giolito (1-2, 3.67 ERA) is in line to get the start for Chicago. The right-hander allowed one run over seven innings in his last start, a 7-3 home defeat against the Twins on Thursday. He gave up two hits while striking out seven and walking three in the no-decision.

Giolito is making his first appearance against the Royals this season. Over three starts against the Royals in 2022, Giolito was 1-1 with a 5.28 ERA over 15.1 innings. He had 21 strikeouts and seven walks. For Kansas City, righty Jordan Lyles (0-5, 6.69 ERA) will toe the rubber.

It’s his first appearance of the season against the White Sox. Lyles made two appearances against the White Sox in 2022, both as the starter, striking out six and walking one over 14 innings (0-1, 3.21).

In his last start on Thursday, Lyles took a no-decision at home against the Orioles. He threw five innings and gave up eight runs (6 ER) on six hits, striking out three and walking two in the 13-10 loss.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Chicago has averaged 6.6 runs a game, up from their season average of 4.4, while slashing better across the board (.259/.328/.459). Against righties like Lyles this season, the Sox have a .682 OPS.

Yasmani Grandal is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .821 OPS in 82 at-bats. Kansas City is averaging 7.8 runs per game in the last five, up from 4.1 for the season, with a better slash line (.316/.407/.548).

The Royals have a .660 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .881 OPS over 98 at-bats, Vinnie Pasquantino has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Chicago is 6-14 away from home in 2023, scoring 4.4 runs per game while allowing 5.4 runs. Kansas City has gone 4-16 at their home park this season, averaging 4.2 runs per game while surrendering 6.4. Kansas City is 7-3 in the last 10 games at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium between the AL Central rivals with an average scoreline of 4.9-3.3.

STANDINGS UPDATE

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