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Royals vs. White Sox Prediction and Odds for Wednesday, August 31 (White Sox are Toast)

By Joe Summers

The Chicago White Sox are 1-6 in their last seven games as favorites as they sit six games back in the AL Central
The Chicago White Sox are 1-6 in their last seven games as favorites as they sit six games back in the AL Central / Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
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Alert the masses! After months of deliberation, the jury finally returned with a verdict on the Chicago White Sox:

Not great! Once considered among the handful of AL teams likely to win the pennant, the White Sox are perhaps MLB's most disappointing team. Some of us have been warning you for months this would happen, though even I didn't realize how swift and depressing Chicago's fall would be.

With losses in six of its past seven as a favorite, Chicago needs a lot to go right in only a few weeks time to avoid disaster. Lance Lynn allowed two runs or fewer in four of his last five starts, while Kris Bubic has a 6.12 ERA this month for the Kansas City Royals.

If the White Sox can't pick up this win, it's safe to say you can put a fork in 'em, folks. Here are the odds from WynnBET for Chicago's last stand:

Royals vs White Sox Odds, Run Line and Total

Royals vs White Sox Prediction and Pick

It kind of feels like the White Sox will never win again. Obviously, that won't happen. But look at this exhausted at-bat from Luis Robert the other night and tell me the vibes around this clubhouse aren't a full-on disaster:

Everyone in the organization is just ready to put 2022 in the past. Massive, wholesale changes are needed in the franchise, and it seems the only person who doesn't realize it is owner Jerry Reinsdorf.

The pitching staff is a disaster, though Lance Lynn has legitimately been great this month. Kris Bubic is struggling and the White Sox hit left-handed pitchers well, so Chicago should have the upper hand.

That being said, you can't put a price tag on vibes. Kansas City is certainly having much more fun than the White Sox. The Royals have four straight upset wins over Chicago and I'm happy to back them to keep the streak going.

I've always been an analytics guy and want to shower you with numbers to back up my picks. I'm not doing that today. This is purely a qualitative choice, as I don't think anyone in the White Sox organization actually wants to play this game. Look for the Royals' lineup to take advantage of a slumping Chicago pitching staff in another underdog victory.

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.

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