Chi. White Sox White Sox vs Kansas City Royals Picks and Predictions July 30th 2024

The forecast from Chicago on Tuesday calls for scattered clouds and temperatures in the upper 80s. This AL Central matchup has the Royals as the heavy favorite on the money line, with their odds sitting at -181 compared to the White Sox at +152. The over/under line is currently 8.5 runs.

First pitch from Guaranteed Rate Field is set for 8:10 PM ET, and NBCS will be televising this one. Michael Wacha is starting for the Royals, and they are 3rd in the AL Central, while the White Sox will be looking to end a 15-game losing streak with starter Jonathan Cannon.

Kansas City vs. Chicago Key Information

Michael Wacha gets the start for the Royals today as he faces the White Sox on the road. He has made 18 starts this season and has a record of 7-6 with a 3.65 ERA. Wacha’s WHIP for the season is currently 1.22. In his last outing, he finished with a no-decision, going 4 2/3 innings and giving up three earned runs on six hits. Before that, he had won three straight starts. Wacha’s ERA on the road is 4.11 compared to 4.03 at home. For the year, he has allowed 12 home runs.

So far this season, the Royals are averaging 4.7 runs per game, which is 11th in the league. At home, they have been even better, averaging 5.2 runs per game. As a team, they are batting .252, which is 8th in the league, and have the fewest strikeouts per game in the league. Kansas City’s offense is also near the top of the league in slugging percentage and OPS.

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Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. has been on a tear of late, going 17/33 in his last eight games with two homers and nine RBIs. This has pushed his season batting average to .347, and he is also 1st on the team with 75 RBIs. Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez are tied for the team lead with 19 homers.

Jonathan Cannon gets the start for the White Sox today and will be looking to bounce back from his last outing, where he took the loss. Against the Rangers, he gave up two earned runs in six innings of work. Looking back further, Cannon has allowed at least two homers in three of his last four outings. Cannon’s record for the season is 1-5, and his ERA is 4.43. Out of his 10 starts, he has turned in four quality starts and is averaging 6.29 strikeouts per nine innings. For the year, Cannon has allowed eight homers at home and 11.92 per nine innings on the road.

Chicago’s offense has been one of the worst in the league this season, as they are last in the league in batting average and on-base percentage. Overall, they are averaging just 3.1 runs per game, which is the worst mark in the league. The White Sox are also near the bottom of the league in home runs and slugging percentage.

Paul DeJong has been one of the White Sox’s top power threats this season, as his 18 homers are the best mark on the team and 15th in the league. However, he is batting just .228 for the season. Andrew Vaughn is also near the top of the team’s home run leaderboard, with 12 homers, but is batting just .234 for the season. DeJong comes into the game on a five-game hitting streak, while Vaughn has gone just 3/16 in his last four games.

According to our projections, this Royals vs. White Sox matchup has the 8th best odds of going over the over/under line. As for a pick on the money line, we would be leaning toward the Royals to come out on top. Kansas City starter Michael Wacha has the 7th best odds to pick up a win and is 6th worst among today’s starters in projected strikeouts. On the other side, Jonathan Cannon has the 2nd worst strikeout projection among today’s starters.

Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. Aims to Stay Hot vs. Reeling White Sox

The Chicago White Sox, in the midst of a wild season, exchanged nearer Michael Kopech to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday as a feature of a three-group bargain that likewise sent right-hander Erick Fedde and outfielder Tommy Pham to the St. Louis Cardinals.

White Sox’s Struggles and Trade Moves

The White Sox are firmly in seller mode, long out of postseason contention and enduring a franchise-worst 15-game losing streak entering Tuesday’s visit from the Kansas City Royals.

“Sometimes, we don’t give the bullpen enough room for mistakes,” White Sox manager Pedro Grifol lamented. “Today, we had a three-run lead. I felt our two best guys (Steven Wilson and Brebbia) were on the mound.”

Royals’ Wild-Card Chase and Bullpen Performance

In contrast, Kansas City remains competitive in a tight American League wild-card race and continues to rely on closer James McArthur. McArthur, overcoming recent struggles, secured Monday’s come-from-behind 8-5 victory with a perfect ninth inning, notching his 18th save of the season.

“Luckily for me, we have a really good pitching department here,” McArthur noted, “and those guys have been working with me through this whole thing, and they work with me whenever things are going good, too.”

McArthur’s resilience was on display after he suffered a blown save against Arizona last Wednesday, his fifth of the season. Despite a tough outing against the Chicago Cubs on Sunday, where he allowed three runs, McArthur bounced back to help the Royals secure the win against the White Sox.

Bobby Witt Jr.’s Stellar Performance

Kansas City’s comeback was powered by a six-run eighth inning, highlighted by Bobby Witt Jr.’s go-ahead grand slam off the first pitch he saw from John Brebbia. Witt Jr. has been a standout performer, going 4-for-5 in the series opener.

“Just control what I can control in the box,” Witt Jr. explained. “Look for a pitch I can hit and then just take my swing that I prepared for before the game and see what happens.”

In four games against the White Sox since the All-Star break, Witt Jr. is hitting .812 (13-for-16) with two home runs and seven RBIs. He is batting .545 during an 11-game hitting streak, showcasing his consistent approach and stellar form.

Upcoming Pitching Matchup: Wacha vs. Cannon

The Royals’ Michael Wacha (7-6, 3.65 ERA) is set to face Chicago’s Jonathan Cannon (1-5, 4.43 ERA) in a duel of right-handers. Wacha, who was the winning pitcher on July 19 when the Royals defeated the White Sox 7-1, pitched seven shutout innings in that game.

Wacha has a strong record against the White Sox, with a 4-1 record and a 3.30 ERA in eight career starts, including a 2-1 mark in three starts this season.

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Rookie Jonathan Cannon, who confronted the Royals in his significant league debut on April 17 and again on July 20, permitted four runs and eight hits in six innings during a street rout. Cannon, who has lost three straight starts, pitched six innings and dispersed two runs and eight hits in a 2-1 misfortune at Texas last Thursday.

White Sox’s Endeavors to End Slide

The White Sox seemed ready to end their most recent pallet on Monday with solid exhibitions from Chris Flexen, Luis Robert Jr., and Andrew Vaughn. Flexen pitched six strong innings, Robert Jr. recorded three hits, and Vaughn added a performance home run, giving the White Sox a 5-2 lead after seven innings.

Notwithstanding these endeavors, the Royals’ late-game flood, controlled by Witt Jr’s. huge homerun, reversed the situation. As Kansas City proceeds with its season finisher push, the White Sox will be hoping to refocus and figure out how to end their horrible streak.

With the two groups having much in question, Tuesday’s down vows to be a captivating matchup as the Royals look to exploit their momentum and the White Sox endeavor to stop their downward spiral.