The Kansas City Royals and the Chicago White Sox finished the first half of the season as two of the hottest teams in the majors. However, one of these teams’ successful runs will be put to an end in this big-time Friday matinee. Can the Royals prove that they’re here to stay as the top dogs of the American League?
There’s plenty of baseball action when the MLB regular season resumes on Friday. Check out the complete previews for the Mariners vs. Yankees and Orioles vs. Tigers.
[sc:MLBArticles ]Kansas City Royals vs. Chicago White Sox Preview
Where: U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago, IL
When: Friday, July 17, 2:10 PM ET
Line: Kansas City Royals at Chicago White Sox – view all MLB lines
Betting on the Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals were on fire in ending the first half of the season. The Royals won seven of their last eight games, and sit first atop the American League with their balanced attack. They’re ranked fourth in the league in runs per game and first in runs allowed per game.
[sc:MLB240banner ]The Royals may continue right where they left off with Chris Young (7-5, 3.00 ERA) on the mound to start the second half of the season. Young has allowed one earned run or none at all in eight of his last 11 games when pitching five or more innings this season.
But he’s struggled as of late going 0-2 with a 4.15 ERA in three starts this July. The All-Star Break may just be the break Young needs to collect himself in time for his first start of the second half.
When assessing the Royals at the plate, look no further than 2015 All-Stars Mike Moustakas, Lorenzo Cain, Alex Gordon and Alcides Escobar. Moustakas hit .297 with 16 doubles, a triple, seven home runs and 31 RBIs through the first half of the season. Cain leads the Royals with a .316 batting average and 92 hits this season, and Gordon and Escobar also pitched in with 13 home runs and 42 RBIs between them.
The four All-Stars have combined to hit .286 against Chicago starter Jeff Samardjiza in their careers. Kendrys Morales is also worth mentioning, batting .281 while leading the Royals with 61 RBIs this season. He’s hit 1 of 4 with two walks against Chicago’s Samardzija in his career.
The Royals have won seven of their last 10 games against the White Sox.
Betting on the Chicago White Sox
Despite going on a 9-3 tear to end the first half of the regular season, the Chicago White Sox still have plenty of ground to cover if they’re to contend for at least a Wild Card spot in the playoffs. The White Sox are currently 5.5 games behind in the AL Wild Card standings.
The White Sox put their trust in right-hander Jeff Samardzija (6-4, 4.02 ERA) to get them going in the second half of the regular season. Samardzija has managed to shut out the hottest bats in the majors – the Toronto Blue Jays – and held Baltimore (eighth in the league in runs scored this season) to just one earned run. But the right-hander may have his hands full against Kansas City. Royals batters have hit a collective .302 in their careers against the White Sox starter.
For the White Sox to continue their recent success, they’ll need much better batting in the second half of the season. They’re dead last in the majors in runs scored (292), on base percentage (.294) and slugging percentage (.355), and 24th in batting average (.241).
If Chicago was to inject some life at the plate, they’ll do it through Jose Abreu. The White Sox first baseman leads his team in batting average (.296), home runs (14), RBIs (46), on base percentage (.343) and hits (95). Furthermore, Abreu is also on a 13-game hitting streak, hitting .321 over that span. Expect him to continue blasting away at the plate.
The White Sox have won seven of their last 10 at home.
Writer’s Prediction
The White Sox start the second half strong with a tight win over the Royals. Create a betting account now and get in as the baseball season heats up.
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