Chicago White Sox vs Kansas City Royals Picks and Predictions July 31st 2024

White Sox aim to end 16-game skid in finale with Royals

The Royals are the heavy favorite on the money line today, as their odds are sitting at -193 compared to the White Sox, who are +162. This AL Central matchup has a start time of 2:10 PM ET from Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago. There does appear to be a chance of rain in Chicago on Wednesday.

Wednesday’s over/under line is at 9 runs, and the Royals will be looking to extend their two-game winning streak with Brady Singer on the mound. The White Sox are starting Drew Thorpe and are 16-83 this season, while the Royals are 59-49.

Kansas City vs. Chicago Key Information

• Teams: Royals at White Sox
• Where: Guaranteed Rate Field Chicago
• Date: Wednesday, July 31st
• Betting Odds KC -193 | CHW +162 O/U 9

The Royals Can Win If…

Brady Singer has been pitching well for the Royals, as he has a record of 7-6 and an ERA of 2.82. In his 21 starts, Singer has pitched nine quality starts and is averaging 8.47 strikeouts per nine innings. Most recently, he faced the White Sox on July 20th and picked up the win, going seven innings and not allowing a run. He did give up two homers in that outing. Singer’s home ERA is 2.33 compared to 4.49 on the road.

Heading into today’s game, the Royals offense is averaging 4.6 runs per game, which is 10th in the league. They have been a much better offensive team at home, averaging 5.2 runs per game. As a team, the Royals are batting .251, which is 9th in the league, and they also have the fewest strikeouts in the league. Kansas City’s offense has been led by Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez, who are both in the top 12 in home runs this season. Witt Jr. is hitting .347 overall and has gone 11/24 in his last six games.

Witt Jr. and Hunter Renfroe are both on impressive hitting streaks, with Witt Jr. having a 12-game streak and Renfroe coming in with a five-game streak. Renfroe has also been hot at the plate, going 7/18 in his last six games with two homers.

• The Royals are 6-4 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Royals are 2-3 vs. the run line.
• Kansas City has an over/under record of 5-5 in their last ten games.
• The Royals have an average of 5.0 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten road games, the Royals are 6-4
• Looking back across the Royals last five games as the favorite, they are 3-2
• Kansas City has gone 0-3 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Royals have averaged 4.9 runs per game on offense

The White Sox Can Win If…

Right-hander Drew Thorpe gets the start for the White Sox today and comes into the game with a record of 3-2 and ERA of 4.80. In his eight starts, Thorpe has made five quality starts and is averaging just 5.72 strikeouts per nine innings. Opponents are batting .185 off Thorpe this season. His most recent outing was a rough one, as he gave up six hits, three walks, and two homers in two-thirds of an inning of work. In that outing, he gave up eight earned runs and took the loss. Before that, he hadn’t given up more than two earned runs in three straight starts.

Chicago is hoping that Andrew Vaughn and Paul DeJong can continue to swing the bat well, as both players have two homers over their last eight games, with Vaughn hitting .250 and DeJong batting .280. DeJong is also on a five-game hitting streak. For the season, DeJong is batting .228, and Vaughn is hitting .234. DeJong’s 18 home runs are 13th in the league, and Vaughn is 2nd on the team with 13 homers.

As a team, the White Sox are the worst hitting team in the league, batting just .218, and they are also 30th in the league in runs scored. Their team OPS of .622 is also the worst in the league. Overall, the White Sox are averaging just 3.1 runs per game, which is the worst mark in the league.

• The White Sox are 0-10 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the White Sox are 1-4 vs. the run line.
• Chicago has an over/under record of 5-5 in their last ten games.
• The White Sox have an average of 2.8 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten home games, the White Sox are 1-9
• Looking back across the White Sox last five games as the favorite, they are 2-3
• Chicago has gone 0-3 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the White Sox have averaged 2.1 runs per game on offense

The Lean

For an over/under pick, our lean is on the over, as we have this Royals vs. White Sox matchup as the 7th highest-scoring game of the day. As for who is going to take this one straight up, we have our lean on the Royals to pick up the win. Kansas City starter Brady Singer is 4th among today’s starters in projected innings pitched, and he has the 14th best strikeout projection compared to Drew Thorpe, who has the 2nd worst among today’s starters.

The Chicago White Sox are in the throes of a challenging season, epitomized by a franchise-worst 16-game losing streak. As they prepare for the series finale against the Kansas City Royals, the team is determined to halt this negative momentum. This article explores the causes of their slump, recent roster changes, key performances, and the outlook for the upcoming game.

A Season to Forget

The White Sox’s 2024 season has been plagued by persistent losses and underperformance, placing them 56 games under .500. This losing streak has seen them swept in 16 series, highlighting a season where victories have been scarce and morale is low.

Royals’ Dominance During the Streak

The Kansas City Royals have played a significant role in extending Chicago’s losing streak, securing five victories against the White Sox. Notable eighth-inning rallies have defined their recent wins, showcasing their resilience and clutch performance.

Key Performances by Royals Players

Bobby Witt Jr.:
Witt Jr. has been instrumental for the Royals, extending his hitting streak to 12 games and delivering crucial hits, including a game-tying single in Tuesday’s game.

Sam Long:
The Royals’ reliever earned his first save of the season with a flawless ninth inning on Tuesday, illustrating the team’s depth and ability to perform under pressure.

White Sox’s Struggles and Missed Opportunities

Despite commendable starts by right-handers Chris Flexen and Jonathan Cannon, the White Sox bullpen has faltered, losing leads and failing to capitalize on scoring opportunities. This inability to convert chances into runs has been a significant factor in their extended losing streak.

Roster Changes and Future Outlook

In an effort to spark a turnaround, the White Sox have made several trades before the deadline, signaling a commitment to rebuilding. Despite the overall struggles, some veterans like Andrew Vaughn, Nicky Lopez, and Nick Senzel have shown promise, providing glimmers of hope for the future.

Manager Pedro Grifol’s Vision

Amidst speculation about his job security, Manager Pedro Grifol remains steadfast in his vision for the team. Under contract through 2025, Grifol is focused on leading the White Sox through this rebuilding phase and restoring the team’s competitive edge.

Upcoming Matchup: Singer vs. Thorpe

The final game of the series features a pitching duel between Kansas City’s Brady Singer and Chicago’s Drew Thorpe.

Brady Singer:
With a 7-6 record and a 2.82 ERA, Singer has been formidable, boasting a 4-3 record and a 3.68 ERA in 15 career games against the White Sox.

Drew Thorpe:
The rookie has shown potential but struggled in his last outing, giving up eight runs in just two-thirds of an inning against Seattle. He aims to bounce back and deliver a strong performance.

Conclusion

The Chicago White Sox are determined to end their 16-game losing streak in the series finale against the Kansas City Royals. With recent roster changes and a focus on rebuilding, the team aims to find a winning formula and restore pride to the franchise. Fans and players alike look forward to seeing the White Sox back in competitive form, striving for a brighter future.

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