White Sox vs Royals MLB Betting + Handicapping Picks
The Chicago White Sox have been one of the best road teams in baseball so far this year. The Kansas City Royals have been one of the worst home teams in baseball this season.
Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals MLB Betting Preview
Starting Pitchers: Chicago (Peavy) vs. Kansas City (Hochevar)
Date/Time: July 14, 7:10 p.m. EST
MLB Gambling Odds from BetOnline
Moneyline: Chicago (-125) Kansas City (+105)
Runline: Chicago -1.5 (+130) Kansas City +1.5 (-150)
Total: 8.5
Royals fans had high hopes before the season, but it will take a massive run in the second half for this team to be competitive in the AL Central.
The White Sox start the second half with a small lead over the Indians and the Tigers in the division.
Jake Peavy has been one of the main reasons the White Sox are back at the top of the AL Central this season. Peavy has a sparkling 2.85 ERA so far in 2012. He has been able to stay healthy so far this year, and that has been the big key. The White Sox have gotten a big boost from Adam Dunn’s production in 2012.
Dunn was miserably bad in 2011, but he leads the team with 25 homers and 61 RBI’s this year. Alex Rios his .227 last year, but he is hitting a terrific .318 this year. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Paul Konerko leads the team with a .329 batting average. The White Sox are fourth in the majors in homers with 103.
Eric Hosmer burst onto the scene last year in his rookie season, but he is definitely experiencing a sophomore slump in 2012. Hosmer is hitting just .231 so far this year.
Jeff Francoeur had 87 RBI’s last year, but through more than half of the season in 2012 he has just 25 RBI’s. An offense that many expected to be one of the best in the American League ranks 21st in the majors in runs scored per game. Luke Hochevar has the best ERA of any Royals starter this year at 5.14. Hochevar has been bad, but the rest of the rotation has been even worse.
Until the Royals can get some quality starting pitching, it is hard to see this team competing for a division title.
The White Sox have a major pitching advantage in this one. Hochevar has been injured of late, and Peavy has been dominant on the road.
MLB Free Pick: White Sox ML
