Kansas City Royals at Chicago White Sox 5/15/21 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Kansas City Royals play the second game of a three-game series on the road Saturday against the Chicago White Sox. Kansas City is quickly tumbling down the standings of the American League Central. The Royals have lost 11 straight following a 4-3 setback to the Detroit Tigers on Thursday. Kansas City has been swept by the Tigers, White Sox and Indians in each of their last three series and trails first place Chicago by 6 ½ games.

Andrew Benintendi is batting .281 to lead Kansas City. Catcher Salvador Perez is the leader in home runs seven and hits with 40. Right fielder Whit Merrifield has a team-high 23 RBIs and first baseman Carlos Santana is the leader in on-base percentage at .394. On Saturday, Kansas City will send Mike Minor to the mound. The lefthander is 2-2 with an ERA of 5.75, 37 Ks and 15 BBs.

The White Sox are first in the American League Central 22-13 and lead the second place Cleveland Indians by one game following a 4-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Thursday. Jack Lamb and Tim Anderson homered for the White Sox in the victory and Billy Hamilton ended a threat with the bases loaded by leaping at the wall to make a catch. Chicago swept Minnesota in the three-game series outscoring the Twins by a combined 26-13. The White Sox have won six straight.

Yermin Mercedes is batting .382 to lead Chicago and the catcher has team highs in hits with 42 and on-base percentage at .424. First baseman Jose Abreu is the leader in home runs with seven and RBIs with 31. Chicago has hit 33 home runs in its first 35 games. On Saturday, the White Sox will send Carlos Rodon to the mound. The southpaw is 5-0 with an ERA of 0.58, 44 Ks and 9 BBs.