he Kansas City Royals are the MLB betting favorites when they close their three-game set versus the Chicago White Sox tonight at 8:15 PM (ET). Here are the odds for the game at Kauffman Stadium for fans who bet on baseball:
White Sox +1½ (-155) 8 (-110) +146
Royals -1½ (+135) 8 (-110) -156
The series is tied one apiece after Lorenzo Cain hit an RBI single off White Sox reliever Matt Albers to end the 14th inning and seal the 3-2 walk-off victory for the Royals yesterday. Chicago starter Jose Quintana lost an opportunity to pick up a 10th win for the first time in his career when manager Robin Ventura pulled him following Paulo Orlando’s one-out double to left in the eighth inning. Quintana threw 97 pitches in 7 1/3 innings in a 102 degree heat, giving up one run on four hits, striking out five and walking one. It was his 58th no-decision since 2012. It was also Chicago’s fifth blown save in five chances at Kauffman Stadium, as well as their eighth walk-off loss and their seventh loss in spite of being ahead after seven – and third against the Royals.
So why are the Royals the MLB betting favorites for the rubber game? It just might have something to do with Kansas starter Danny Duffy (8-1, 2.97 ERA). The leftie has been tearing the pea patch and become the top guy in the Royal’s rotation and one of the best pitchers in the league today. Duffy is undefeated in his last eight starts – while Kansas is 13-3 when he has started this year –, has not pitched in a loss since June 22nd, has allowed more than three runs in a game only once since the beginning of June – which includes 13 starts; 10 of which were quality starts –, and has not surrendered more than four runs in a game since May 27th. Additionally, Duffy set a franchise record with 16 strikeouts versus the Tampa Bay Rays on August 1st, and has struck out seven or more batters in 8 out of his last 12 starts. Nonetheless, he will have to keep an eye out for Chicago baseman Jose Abreu, who has posted three homers and five RBIs in his past six games.
White Sox MLB betting fans should fret just yet, though. As a matter of fact, we just might have a pitchers’ duel in our hands. Chicago starter Miguel Gonzalez (2-6, 4.09 ERA) has been pitching well but the rest of the team has failed to have his back. For example, the right-hander has had seven consecutive quality starts with a 2.76 ERA, but the Sox are 3-4 in those seven games. More to the point, Chicago has lost in Gonzalez’s two starts against the Royals this season. Furthermore, the WS have dropped their six last games versus World Series winners – dating back to the playoffs – with Gonzalez on the hill, even though he has surrendered three or fewer earned runs in five of those outings. The Mexican pitcher is 0-2 with a 3.41 ERA in five second-half starts.
