Kansas City Royals at Chicago White Sox MLB Odds Prediction

Posted by Jordan Walterss on Friday,May 20, 2016 9:51, EDT in

The Kansas City Royals are the defending American League Central Division champions. The Chicago White Sox, however, currently hold down first place in the Central, although they are struggling of late as their lead has dwindled. Hard as it is to believe, but these two division rivals are facing off for the first time this season this weekend. The Royals are likely to be slight favorites for Saturday’s Game 2 on betting odds in a not-so-great pitching matchup.

A Look at the Kansas City Royals at Chicago White Sox MLB Odds Prediction & TV Info

When: Saturday, May 21, 2:10 PM ET
Where: US Cellular Field, Chicago
Probable pitchers (away/home): Danny Duffy/Miguel Gonzalez
TV: MLB Extra Innings
Stream: MLB.tv
Radio: Kansas City / Chicago
Opening MLB Lines: TBA

Royals at White Sox Historic Betting Trends

Kansas City is expected to get back one of its best players for this game in third baseman Mike Moustakas. Moustakas, out since May 5 because of a thumb fracture, started a brief rehab assignment at Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Wednesday. He was expected to rejoin the Royals when they travel to Chicago on Friday, but probably won’t be in the lineup until Saturday. That way he’ll miss White Sox lefty Jose Quintana, scheduled to start on Friday. Moustakas is hitting .258 with seven homers and 13 RBIs. In Moustakas’ absence, infielder Cheslor Cuthbert has played pretty well, which makes deciding who gets sent down when Moustakas returns a tough task. It’s possible that Cuthbert could move to second base, where he has been taking grounders, if he doesn’t go back to the minors.

Chicago jumped out to a nice lead in the Central but has been slumping, and GM Rick Hahn said this week he already is prepared to make a big move and was talking to other teams, He admitted, though, that nothing is imminent because few teams are ready to give up on the season already. The Sox could look to add a bullpen arm, a starting pitcher and/or a left-handed bat. All are needs.

Here, Chicago goes with fifth starter Miguel Gonzalez, and his rotation spot could be in trouble. Since being picked up off waivers from Baltimore, Gonzalez is 0-0 with a 5.17 ERA in three starts. Gonzalez lasted just 4.2 innings Sunday, allowing three runs on five hits and five walks while striking out only one in a 7-5 loss to the Yankees, but came away with a no-decision. He’s now walked 10 batters in 15.2 innings over three starts since being called up. Both Hahn and manager Robin Ventura have acknowledged a high degree of difficulty in each of the right-hander’s three starts, given they come on the road against the Toronto Blue Jays, Texas Rangers and New York Yankees.

The Royals have a few starters on the disabled list so they will use lefty Danny Duffy (0-0, 2.57), who has spent most of the season in the bullpen. Duffy allowed no runs on one hit and two walks while striking out five over three innings, but received no decision Sunday against the Braves in his first start of the season. Duffy was on a pitch limit, explaining his early exit in the spot start. Although this was his first start of the season, he’s now held opponents scoreless in 10 of his last 11 outings. Duffy will be on a 60-pitch limit Saturday, according to Royals manager Ned Yost.

Expert Betting Prediction

Tough call here on betting odds because Gonzalez isn’t very good and Duffy will be on such a pitch limit. Go White Sox simply because they are at home.