Kansas City Royals at Chicago White Sox odds, picks, and predictions

The Kansas City Royals (19-24) and Chicago White Sox (21-21) meet Thursday for the finale of their 3-game AL Central series at Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois. First pitch is at 7:40 p.m. ET. Let's analyze MLB odds around the Royals vs. White Sox odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: White Sox lead 4-2

The Royals are slumping a bit, riding a 3-game losing streak and dropping 5 of their last 7. SS Bobby Witt Jr. reached base 3 times Wednesday, hitting a home run and batting in 2 runs. C Carter Jensen went 2 for 2 with a double.

The White Sox beat Kansas City 6-5 Wednesday as -102 favorites with the Over (8.0) cashing. SS Colson Montgomery went 3 for 4 with a solo home run. RF Jarred Kelenic reached base 3 times and batted in 2 runs. Chicago will try Thursday for its third series sweep this season.

Royals at White Sox projected starters

LHP Kris Bubic vs. LHP Anthony Kay

Bubic (3-1, 3.50 ERA) makes his ninth start. He has a 1.165 WHIP, 4.5 BB/9 and 9.1 K/9 in 46 1/3 innings.

• Last start: No-decision, 5 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 4 BB, 5 K in a 4-3 home victory vs. Detroit Tigers May 8
• Career vs. White Sox: 2-4, 2.04 ERA (61 2/3 IP, 14 ER), 1.022 WHIP, 8.2 K/9 in 9 starts
• 2026 on road: 1-0, 3.78 ERA, 16 2/3 IP, 7 ER, 14 H, 9 BB, 16 K in 3 starts

Kay (2-1, 4.89 ERA) makes his seventh start. He has a 1.571 WHIP, 4.4 BB/9 and 6.4 K/9 in 35 innings.

• Last start: Win, 5 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 5 K in a 6-1 home victory vs. Seattle Mariners May 9
• Career vs. Royals: 1-1, 4.00 ERA (9 IP, 4 ER), 1.222 WHIP, 9.0 K/9 in 2 starts
• 2026 at home: 1-0, 3.94 ERA, 16 IP, 7 ER, 17 H, 7 BB, 8 K in 2 starts

Royals at White Sox odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:36 a.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML): Royals -130 (bet $130 to win $100) | White Sox +110 (bet $100 to win $110)
• Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Royals -1.5 (+125) | White Sox +1.5 (-150)
• Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -102 | U: -118)

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Royals at White Sox picks and predictions

Prediction

Royals 5, White Sox 3

Moneyline

AVOID.

I'm going with the Royals due to the pitching matchup, and with them looking to avoid getting swept. However, I'm skipping betting them on the moneyline considering the White Sox's recent success against them.

Run line/Against the spread

BET ROYALS -1.5 (+125).

Bubic has been steady this season, and he threw 7 scoreless innings against the White Sox last month. As noted above, he has had success against them throughout his career. Kansas City's offense has played well despite dropping the first 2 games of the series, so it should be fine against Kay, who has surrendered 16 ER over his last 3 starts.

Over/Under

BET UNDER 8.5 (-118).

Chicago's offense should be limited against Bubic. The White Sox are 4-6 in favor of the Under in the last 10 games, and the Royals are 5-5. They are 3-3 O/U against each other this season.

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