The Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals start their ultimate series in 2021, so here’s the best betting pick for the opening clash of a three-game set at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City set for Friday, September 3, 2021, with the first pitch at 8:10 PM ET.

The ChiSox and Royals split their first 16 games this season, and Kansas City is surprisingly 4-1 in the previous five. Chicago is a firm fave to grab a win in this one, according to BetOnline Sportsbook, so let’s take a closer look at this AL Central showdown.

The White Sox look for their fourth straight victory     

The Chicago White Sox improved to 78-56 on the season following a 6-3 win to Pittsburgh last Wednesday. They swept a two-game interleague series against the hapless Pirates, and the White Sox have lost just one of their previous six games overall.

Chicago has scored 72 runs over their last 13 showings, posting the fifth-best OPS in the majors in the last two weeks of action (.795). However, they’ve struggled on the mound, tallying a pedestrian 5.09 ERA to go with a 1.25 WHIP and a .240 batting average against.

Dallas Keuchel will take the hill Friday, hoping to break out of his funk. The 33-year-old southpaw is 8-7 with a 5.00 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 25 starts and one relief app in 2021, and over his previous seven showings, Keuchel has registered an awful 7.34 ERA while allowing a .919 OPS to his opponents.

Keuchel met the Royals twice this term and was charged for a loss on both occasions, giving up six earned runs through 12 innings of work. He’s 6-3 with a 2.78 ERA in 13 career starts against Kansas City.

The Royals extended their losing streak on Wednesday

Unlike the White Sox, the Kansas City Royals had to take the field Thursday and try to avoid a sweep at home, as they’ve lost the first two games to the Cleveland Indians (7-2 and 5-3) to extend their losing streak to three games.

The Crowns are out of the playoff contention, but they’ve played well lately, posting a 7-6 record in their previous 13 outings. Kansas City has recorded a nice 2.89 ERA in that stretch while scoring 60 runs in the process and slashing .252/.302/.406.

Kris Bubic will get the nod Friday, and he’s 4-6 with a 5.18 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in 15 starts and eight relief appearances in 2021. The 24-year-old lefty hasn’t been at his best recently, recording a 7.15 ERA and a .286 batting average against over his last five starts (22.2 innings pitched).

Bubic is 0-3 with a 2.91 ERA in five career starts and one relief appearance against the White Sox. He met them three times in 2021 and gave up five earned runs on nine hits and seven walks through 17.2 frames of work.

Trends:

ChiSox:

  • 5-1 in the last six games overall
  • 8-3 in the last 11 road tilts against Kansas City

Kansas City:

  • 3-7 in the last ten games at home

Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals Pick

The White Sox desperately need more from their pitching staff. Their bullpen has struggled mightily over the last two weeks, posting the highest ERA in the majors (5.79). Also, Dallas Keuchel cannot be trusted, but the White Sox’s offense looks ready to rumble and hit well against Kris Bubic, who’s allowed five earned runs on nine hits and four walks across 4.1 innings of work last time out.

Hereof, give me the White Sox at moneyline odds, though betting on the totals looks like a way to go in this clash.

Pick: Take Chicago White Sox

The Total:

The under has hit in nine of the last ten encounters between the White Sox and Royals, but I have to go against the betting trends. The White Sox are smashing the lefties (.778 OPS against the left-handed starters in 2021), and Kris Bubic is far away from his top form.

Bubic has allowed 14 earned runs on 19 hits and seven free passes in his last 12 frames of work. On the flip side, Dallas Keuchel has yielded 11 earned runs over his previous six innings of work.

Pick: Go over