Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 5/18/2022

Time: 8:10 p.m. ET

Venue: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO

Where to watch: NBC Sports Chicago, Bally Sports Kansas City

DraftKings: White Sox -155, Royals +135

BetMGM: White Sox -165, Royals +140

Caesars: White Sox -161, Royals +140

White Sox: 18-18

Royals: 13-22

It was a tale of two games in the doubleheader for the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday. On one hand, you got a 2-1 victory when Davis Martin struck out seven in his Major League debut and lost 3-0 in the second game. But then you get shut out in the second matchup and all the positive momentum you got the night before, you had to scrounge against the Kansas City Royals and win 2-1 in the first game.

“He was impressive,” said manager Tony La Russa about Martin in his debut. “Tough for him to be the losing pitcher, it really bothers all of us. He didn’t deserve to be a loser. He did so many good things. He has a right to feel good and look at his big league future sooner rather than later.”

The 25-year-old was one of the few bright spots to what's been otherwise a weird day offensively for the White Sox. 

“An hour later, it's like, 'Hey, you've got Game 2.' So it all kind of hit pretty quick,” Martin said. “But I was ready to go. I was slated for a Tuesday start in Charlotte against Norfolk. So, I just kept the same routine and rolled right into it."

“It's exciting because this is somebody that, going into big league camp, wasn't there and now he's out there pitching in a big league game a month later,” pitching coach Ethan Katz said. “It's exciting and it's a tribute to what he was doing down in the Minors."

The White Sox at least have two wins under their belt and can get a solid series win on the road. Now if you can do it consistent and get the bats going, then you're cooking.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Brady Singer was doing the same thing in that 2-1 win in Game 2 of the doubleheader. Singer struck out a career-high nine led by that dominant changeup of his.

“That was one of those when they come back and say, ‘I’m going to show you something,’” manager Mike Matheny said. “That’s exactly how you’re supposed to handle this. … He came back with a purpose and looked like a completely different pitcher.”

Singer has gone from the bullpen, to Triple-A and now back to the rotation. Who knows what he can do if he gets an extended call-up, but the Royals absolutely need that kind of performance on a nightly basis.

"Of course. I wanted to go out there and obviously do well -- more for the team than anything," Singer added. "I think the biggest thing was competing. Obviously, I tried to do my best. So I felt really good."

I'd be shocked if the White Sox didn't take this series. Even if their bats start working, I can't see many teams losing with Lucas Giolito on the mound. White Sox win 6-2

White Sox are 64-37 the past three years as a favorite of -150 or more.

White Sox are 66-65 on the road the past three seasons.

Royals are 20-29 the past three seasons when a home underdog of +125 or more.

White Sox:
Tim Anderson (R) SS
Andrew Vaughn (R) 1B
Luis Robert (R) CF
Jose Abreu (R) DH
AJ Pollock (R) LF
Leury Garcia (S) 2B
Adam Engel (R) RF
Reese McGuire (L) C
Josh Harrison (R) 3B
SP - Lucas Giolito

Royals:
Whit Merrifield (R) RF
Michael A. Taylor (R) CF
Salvador Perez (R) DH
Carlos Santana (S) 1B
Hunter Dozier (R) LF
Bobby Witt Jr. (R) SS
MJ Melendez (L) C
Emmanuel Rivera (R) 3B
Nicky Lopez (L) 2B
SP - Zack Greinke

Batting average: Tim Anderson -- .336

Hits: Tim Anderson -- 40

Home runs: Four tied -- 4

RBI: Three tied -- 12

Wins: Reynaldo Lopez -- 4

Saves: Liam Hendriks -- 9

ERA: Michael Kopech -- 1.54

Batting average: Andrew Benintendi -- .316

Hits: Andrew Benintendi -- 36

Home runs: Salvador Perez -- 6

RBI:  Salvador Perez -- 16

Wins: Three tied -- 2

Saves: Scott Barlow -- 3

ERA: Brad Keller -- 2.70