Chicago White Sox vs Kansas City Royals: Free MLB Pick

In: MLB Free Picks

13 Aug 2011

Jason Storm
Free Pick Newsletter Lead Researcher
109-63-1 Overall Record 

MLB: Chicago White Sox (-150) vs Kansas City Royals (+140) Over-Under 8.5

I said it only once already this week. If the White Sox are going to have a chance to make the playoffs, they must make their move now. The White Sox are 5 games back of the Tigers for the division lead. The White Sox are currently in the middle of a 3 game series with the Kansas City Royals, the cellar dweller of the AL Central. They cannot afford to lose games like these.

The Royals are 50-69 this season. Since May 13th this team is 30-52, that’s a winning percentage of 36%. You don’t need me to tell you how awful that is! Even though this team hits pretty well, they still have their struggles on offense. It’s their strike outs that are concerning. This team has the 5th most strike outs in the AL. That’s not too surprising given that one of this teams stars, Alex Gordon, who does hit .300 has struck out over 100 times on the season. That needs to be noted.

 
The real issue with this team is bad pitching. The Royals are 2nd to last in the AL in most major pitching categories. They given up over 1100 hits this season, 2nd most in the AL. They have allowed over 500 earned runs, again, 2nd worst in the AL. But more telling is that this team is dead last in walks. They have allowed 409 free passes this year. Luke Hochevar will be taking the mound for the Royals today. He hasn’t had the best success against the White Sox. Since 2010 he has 3 starts against Chicago, and is 2-1 despite allowing 10 runs. More important of a statistic is his 7 strike outs to 8 walks in those 3 games. Like I said, the Royals troubles are with pitching and they certainly give up too many walks. Today isn’t going to be much different.
 
The most decisive information for todays game is Hochevar career numbers against the White Sox projected starters. Hochevar has 12 career walks versus 8 strike outs against this team. Its very fair to say that Hochevar is going to be handing out his fair share of free passes today. I expect the White Sox to take advantage of these walks. If I was to choose a pick to click it would be either Alexi Ramirez or Gordon Beckham who are a combined 13 for 30 against Hochevar. That’s a .433 batting average with 4 RBIs.
 
The White Sox have had their fair share of troubles this season. A lot has been made of Adam Dunn hitting below .200 as a highly priced DH. Dunn improving would help Chicago, but its not the most important piece of the puzzle for the White Sox success. The success of the White Sox is dependant on Jake Peavy. The White Sox gave up their farm system for this guy. They gave up Clayton Richards, and 3 top minor league pitching prospects. Clayton by the way has a lower ERA than Peavy this season. They need Peavy to be what he can be. He has shown flashes of brilliance lately. In his last start, Peavy pitched 8 innings allowing only 3 hits and no earned runs. This is what the White Sox needs, it’s time for him to deliver.

Peavy will dominate again today. Peavy is getting stronger and better, and today he earns his team a much needed win.

 
Take White Sox -150 with Listed Pitchers

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