25* MLB WEDNESDAY NIGHT SPECIAL FEATURE
- Handicapper
- Hollywood Sports
- League
- MLB
- Competition
- Chicago White Sox vs Kansas City Royals
- Time
- 08/10/2022 08:10 PM
- Bet Type
- Moneyline
- Pick
-
Chicago White Sox -140
(BetMGM)
- Outcome
- Loss
- Analysis
- At 8:10 PM ET on Wednesday, we will be playing the money-line on the Chicago White Sox (973) versus the Kansas City Royals (974) listing both starting pitchers Johnny Cueto and Kris Bubic. THE SITUATION: Chicago (56-54) has won two of their last three games after their 3-2 victory against the Royals yesterday. Kansas City (45-66) had their three-game winning streak snapped with the loss.
REASONS TO TAKE THE WHITE SOX WITH THE MONEY-LINE: While Chicago has been a disappointment so far this season, they are still very much alive in the American League playoff race. They have been riddled with injuries all season — but manager Tony LaRussa has finally been able to pencil in his expected opening day lineup this month. Not surprisingly, the White Sox are playing better baseball — they have won seven of their last eleven games and have not lost a series since their July 4th series with Minnesota. Chicago’s struggles have mostly been at home where they have a 25-29 record this season. But the White Sox have won 13 of their last 21 games on the road with the Total set in the 8.5-10 range — and they have won 13 of their last 17 road games when priced as a money-line favorite at -125 or higher. Chicago has also won 5 of their last 7 games against AL Central rivals. Cueto gets the start with his 4-5 record along with a 2.91 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP in 14 starts (15 appearances). The veteran right-hander has been more effective on the road where he enjoys a 2.00 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and an opponent’s batting average of .257 in seven starts as compared to his 3.71 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and an opponent’s batting average of .260 at home. His teams have won 7 of their last 10 road games when he is on the mound with the Total set in the 8-8.5 range. He should have success against this Royals team that scores only 3.8 Runs-Per-Game against right-handed starting pitchers. Since the beginning of June when playing at home against right-handed starting pitchers, Kansas City ranks 20th in weighted on-base percentage and 22nd in weighted Runs Created. The Royals have lost 7 of their last 9 games after not scoring more than two runs in their last game. After trading away Whit Merrifield, Andrew Benintendi, and Carlos Santana last month, this team has fully embraced rebuilding by playing their prospects for the rest of the season. Kansas City has lost 36 of their last 53 games against teams with a winning record — and they have lost 17 of their last 23 home games against teams with a winning record. They counter with Bubic who has a 2-6 record along with a 5.27 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP in 17 games (18 appearances). The left-hander struggles with control — he is averaging 5.03 walks per nine innings when pitching at home. He has been less effective at home where he is saddled with a 5.86 ERA, 1.65 WHIP, and an opponent’s batting average of .281 in ten starts as opposed to his 4.58 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, and .257 opponent’s batting average on the road. Bubic has been pitching better as of late by not allowing more than three earned runs in seven starts — but the Royals have lost 5 of those 7 games still.
FINAL TAKE: The White Sox rake left-handed pitching — since June 1st when playing on the road against left-handed pitchers, Chicago ranks 3rd in weighted on-base percentage and 2nd in weighted Runs Created. They have won 14 of their last 20 games against starting pitchers with a WHIP of 1.30 or higher. 25* MLB Wednesday FS1-TV Game of the Month with the money-line on the Chicago White Sox (973) versus the Kansas City Royals (974) listing both starting pitchers Johnny Cueto and Kris Bubic. Best of luck for us — Frank.
