Royals at White Sox Prediction - MLB Picks 9/12/23

Jordan Lyles (4-15, 6.29 ERA, 104 Ks) will take the mound for Kansas City. The veteran pitcher turned in arguably his best outing of the season versus Boston last time out, striking out seven thru eight full innings, while allowing just two runs to earn his fourth win. Lyles’ ability to eat innings has been on display as of late, going at least eight innings in three of his last four starts, and he just so happened to pitch his longest outing of the season versus Chicago back in May, tossing a complete game at Kauffman. Lyles replicating that performance on a short break would be a lot to expect, but he’ll look to deliver again here against the Sox.

Royals Player Trends & Props

Bobby Witt Jr. returned to the lineup with a RBI double in the game two victory, and he leads KC in hits (153), home runs (28) and RBI (85). 

Maikel Garcia has totaled multiple bases in five of the last six games, and he leads the Royals in batting (.284), with 48 RBI. 

Salvador Perez has produced a run in three of the last five games, and he’s second on the team with 21 homers and 62 RBI. 

MJ Melendez homered in Tuesday’s win, and he’s posting splits of .239/14/48. 

White Sox Preview & Projected Starter

Chicago enters at 55-88 after dropping two of three Detroit. The Chicago offense is 4.72 scoring runs per game, while batting .235, with a .292 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 5.72 ERA, with a 1.21 WHIP. 

Dylan Cease (6-7, 4.91 ERA, 176 Ks) will get the ball for Chicago. The fifth-year pitcher struggled in Baltimore last week, allowing five runs thru six innings pitched, but he somehow earned his sixth victory of the season. Chalk that up to a win Cease probably deserved at some point this season, as the trouble in Chicago has clouded all of their pitchers’ seasons. 

Touki Toussaint (3-7, 4.71 ERA, 70 Ks) will get the call for Chicago. The sixth-year pitcher capitalized on the light matchup with Oakland, tossing five scoreless frames to earn his second win of the season. It was nice to see Toussaint prevent the Sox from taking a third straight loss to the A’s, and he’ll attempt to replicate that effort in division play here. 

White Sox Player Trends & Props

Eloy Jiménez has totaled multiple bases  in three of the previous six contests, and he’s totaled fifteen homers and 54 RBI for the season, while leading the Sox in batting (.273).

Yoán Moncada homered in last night’s defeat, and he’s recorded a hit in tell of the last eleven games.

Andrew Vaughn is posting splits of .255/18/70.

Corey’s Free Pick

The White Sox have happened to play better when Dylan Cease pitches, so we’ll lean on that here at home. It’s been a long season for both clubs, but with the end in sight, they’ll both be able to hit reset soon. Back the Sox here in game one with Cease, and give the Over a look in case the feisty Royals come to play.

With the White Sox sending Touki Toussaint to the mound in Game 2, the Royals will be worth a look, as after having a potential struggle with Cease, they’ll likely come out a bit more aggressive. The Over will be in play with Jordan Lyles on the other side, and that route may supply more security here.