The Kansas City Royals and the Chicago White Sox meet Saturday in MLB action from Guaranteed Rate Field. This will be the second installment in a three-game weekend series. In the Friday opener, the Sox secured a shutout victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.

Kansas City Royals

The Royals played the Padres this week, bagging two wins in three games. On Friday in the opener versus the White Sox, Kansas City had just one hit in a 2-0 loss. Starting pitcher Zack Greinke finished with 5.2 innings, two earned, five hits, no walks and four Ks.

It’ll be Jordan Lyles in the starting role for the Saturday game two. In his nine starts so far Lyles is 0-7 with a 7.14 ERA and 38 Ks in 51.2 innings. In his career, Lyles is 66-97 with a 5.18 ERA in 330 games (223 starts).

Chicago White Sox

Over on the White Sox’ side, they also won their series this week, taking two of three from the Guardians. In the Friday matchup Chicago scored twice in the second inning on the way to five team hits. Michael Kopech was excellent on 8.0 innings, one hit, no walks and 10 strikeouts.

For the starter role in the Saturday game the Sox will send out Lucas Giolito. Over his nine starts this year Giolito is 2-3 with a 3.86 ERA and 56 strikeouts over 53.2 innings. Giolito is 55-50 in his career with a 4.30 ERA in 156 games (154 starts).

The Royals are 17-37 in their last 54 in game two of a series and 16-38 in their last 54 overall. Kansas City is 17-43 in their last 60 road games.

Meanwhile, the Sox are 11-23 in their last 34 overall and 4-1 in their last five in game two of a series. The over is 8-3-2 in Chicago’s last 13 Saturday games.

ANDREW’S FREE PICK

I’ll stay with the White Sox in this one. Giolito was a little shaky in his last outing against the Astros with four earned in 6.0 innings during a loss. He had a nice run going before that, however. As for Lyles, it’s been a tough season so far; he’s given up 17 earned over his last three starts but does have a complete-game effort versus the White Sox mixed in there. On Friday Chicago benefitted greatly from a masterful performance by Kopech (and a great ninth from Kendall Graveman). The offense will need to show a little more life in game two but I think the Sox will be in a good spot.