The Chicago White Sox (80-76) and Kansas City Royals (67-89) open a 3-game AL Central series Tuesday in Kansas City, Missouri. First pitch from Kauffman Stadium is at 7:40 p.m. ET. Let's analyze MLB odds around the White Sox vs. Royals odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: White Sox lead 7-3
The White Sox are 1 game out of the division lead and hold a 3-game lead for the final Wild Card currently. They were idle Monday, but won 3 of 4 in their home series against the Detroit Tigers. They won the finale Sunday 8-1 as -120 favorites with the Over (8) cashing. 2B Chase Meidroth homered and drove in 2 runs and rookie LF Sam Antonacci went 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs.
The Royals have lost 4 games in a row and 7
of their last 8. Also idle Monday, they lost 4-3 Sunday at the Pittsburgh Pirates as +101 underdogs with the Under (8.5) cashing. Vinnie Pasquantino hit a 2-run pinch-hit home run in the seventh to give them a 3-2 lead, but RP Nate Pearson allowed a 2-run homer to C Rafael Flores in the eighth.
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White Sox at Royals projected starters
LHP Anthony Kay vs. LHP Daniel Lynch IV
Kay (9-9, 3.41 ERA) makes his 30th start and 32nd appearance. He has a 1.36 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9 and 7.3 K/9 in 149 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 4 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 3 K in 6-3 loss at Cleveland Guardians Wednesday
- Last start vs. Royals (June 28): Loss, 3 2/3 IP, 3 ER (5 R), 7 H, 1 BB, 2 K in 5-4 road loss
- Career vs. Royals: 2-2, 4.34 ERA (18 2/3 IP, 9 ER), 1.45 WHIP, 7.2 K/9 in 4 starts
- 2026 road splits: 3-4, 5.04 ERA (69 2/3 IP, 39 ER), 1.42 WHIP, 7.2 K/9 in 15 starts
Lynch (6-5, 3.29 ERA) makes his ninth start and 55th appearance. He has a 1.07 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9 and 6.1 K/9 in 76 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Win, 5 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 3 K in 5-2 win at Houston Astros Wednesday
- Career vs. White Sox: 4-3, 5.19 ERA (34 2/3 IP, 20 ER), 1.56 WHIP, 7.3 K/9 in 15 games (6 starts)
- 2026 home splits: 2-2, 3.22 ERA (44 2/3 IP, 16 ER), 1.05 WHIP, 5.2 K/9 in 29 games (5 starts)
White Sox at Royals odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:12 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): White Sox -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Royals +100 (bet $100 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): White Sox -1.5 (+140) | Royals +1.5 (-170)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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White Sox at Royals picks and predictions
Prediction
Royals 5, White Sox 3
Moneyline
The White Sox have struggled on the road (34-44) while the Royals have a winning record (39-36) at home.
The Royals have won Lynch's last 2 starts and are 5-1 in his last 6 while the White Sox are 1-5 in Kay's last 6 starts, including 0-4 in his last 4.
BET ROYALS (+100).
Run line/Against the spread
Twelve of the last 13 ATS losses for the White Sox have been outright defeats. Sixteen of the Royals' last 18 covers have been outright wins. They are 31-22 ATS as home underdogs. But with even-money odds on the ML, that is the better value for this game.
PASS.
Over/Under
Four of Lynch's 7 starts, including his last 2, have had totals below 9. Nine of the Royals' last 13 wins, including their last 4, have not reached 9 total runs.
The Over is 6-4 in the season series, but the Under has cashed in 8 of the Royals' last 10 games.
BET UNDER 8.5 (-120).
Best prop bet
Royals DANIEL LYNCH IV UNDER 3.5 STRIKEOUTS (-115)
Lynch has not logged more than 3 strikeouts in any appearance this season, including his 8 starts.
Betting odds calculator
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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Chicago White Sox at Kansas City Royals odds, picks and predictions
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