Chicago will try to somewhat salvage their weekend by taking home a win in the April 7th White Sox at Royals betting matchup on Sunday afternoon (2:10 PM ET, Bally Sports / NBCS-Chicago). It’s been a tough road for the Southsiders who have started the year 1-7 and have managed only two total runs in three losses to Kansas City the past three days.
The Royals (5-4) can pick up the four game sweep and keep in relative pace with the Guardians and Tigers with a victory here. Despite the three wins already this weekend and the White Sox looking like one of the worst teams in MLB, KC is just a -126 favorite on Sunday by far their lowest price of the series. Trap game, anyone?
Why the White Sox Have Value on Sunday
Nobody could blame a person for betting against Chicago…basically every game this season but they’re not going to lose every game. The Sox haven’t done a ton to instill confidence this weekend but to go from +167, +164, and +206 down to just a +108 underdog for Sunday’s game – even after losing the past three – does raise some red flags.
The Royals have taken the first three games of this series, but besides the 10-1 shellacking on Thursday the 2-1 win on Friday and the 3-0 victory on Saturday weren’t exactly dominant. Chicago starter Erick Fedde threw 5.0 IP of 1-run ball on Friday while Chris Flexen pitched into the 7th on Saturday so this KC offense can be gotten to.
The White Sox should get another strong pitching performance on Sunday as Garrett Crochet (0-0, 1.38 ERA) takes the mound for his third start of the season. Crochet has struck out 8 batters in each of his first two outings and went 7.0 IP while allowing just 3 hits and a single run as Chicago beat Atlanta 3-2 on Tuesday as +159 underdogs.
Why the Royals Have Value on Sunday
Maybe it’s just gotten so easy to bet against the White Sox that oddsmakers have had to lower it just to make seasoned bettors overthink this game. Kansas City has been a -180 or higher favorite all weekend including -228 in Saturday’s win so to be priced at -126 for the finale looks like an absolute steal even though ‘only’ 60% of the public are on KC.
The Royals did plate 10 runs on Thursday on 10 hits, the second time they’ve reached double digits in the last seven games. Kansas City only scored 5 runs over the past two games, but they have knocked out 17 hits. It’s likely not going to take an offensive explosion on Sunday to beat this White Sox team that has been held to 2 runs or less in six of their eight games so far in 2024.
Crochet has had a solid start for Chicago, but KC pitcher Alec Marsh (1-0, 1.29 ERA) has been very good himself. The right-hander went 7.0 IP while allowing just 2 hits on Tuesday against a Baltimore offense that ranks 8th in MLB in runs/game as the Royals won 4-1 as +139 underdogs.
Free April 7th White Sox at Royals Betting Pick
Is it overthinking to feel this is a trap game to bet on the Royals? This line should simply not be this low so it looks like the value is on the total in a matchup of two pitchers who have been very good in limited starts so far in 2024.
Free Pick: Under 9
