Kansas City Royals vs Chicago White Sox Picks and Predictions May 5th 2025

Royals vs White Sox: Can Kansas City Keep the Heat at Home?

It’s been a lopsided rivalry lately, and the Kansas City Royals are out to prove that dominance is no fluke. Opening a four-game set at home against the struggling Chicago White Sox, Kansas City looks to extend its hot streak and keep up its strong form in front of the home crowd.

With a record of 14 wins in their last 15 meetings with Chicago, the Royals are making a clear statement: this is their series to lose. What’s even more striking? KC has outscored the Sox 84-34 during that run, showing superiority in both pitching and hitting.

Things have been especially rough for Chicago when playing in Kansas City. Since August 2022, they’ve only snagged two wins in 17 attempts at Kauffman Stadium. The numbers don’t lie.

Cole Ragans: Bumpy Road Meets a Familiar Foe

At the center of the Royals’ efforts on the mound is Cole Ragans, who, despite recent setbacks, has dominated the White Sox in the past. In two career starts against Chicago, he’s allowed just four hits and zero earned runs across 11 innings.

Ragans has had a rocky stretch lately, giving up nine earned runs over his last two outings and leaving early in his most recent game against Colorado due to a groin tweak. But after a few extra days of rest and a solid bullpen session, he’s been cleared to start.

According to Royals manager Matt Quatraro:

To keep tabs on how Ragans performs moving forward, you can always check out the MLB Odds Page for the latest lines and predictions.

Royals’ Hot Streak Rolls On

Kansas City has been absolutely buzzing. They’ve won 11 of their last 13 and just wrapped up a 5-1 road trip that ended with two convincing wins in Baltimore, where they cranked out 10 home runs — including a franchise-record seven in one game.

Leading the charge? Maikel Garcia. This guy is on a tear, hitting .400 over the past 13 games and recording three three-hit performances in his last four. On Sunday, he smacked two home runs in an 11-6 beatdown of the Orioles.

If Garcia gets two or more hits in a game, Kansas City is undefeated at 11-0 this season. Let that sink in.

For a deeper look at the team’s performance and key player stats, swing by the Royals Team Page.

Can Shane Smith Stop the Royals’ Momentum?

Now, the White Sox aren’t coming into this empty-handed. They’re throwing Shane Smith into the fire — a promising right-hander and the No. 1 pick in the 2024 Rule 5 Draft. Smith has had a solid rookie campaign with a 2.23 ERA through six starts, allowing more than two earned runs just once.

But even talent needs execution. Smith’s last outing was a bit off — he allowed three runs (one earned), three walks, and six hits in five innings during a 6-4 loss to the Brewers. His catcher, Matt Thaiss, summed it up perfectly:

Against a red-hot Royals lineup, Smith has zero margin for error. Interested in how the rookie ranks in this matchup? Visit the MLB Pick Page for expert projections.

Chicago’s Road Struggles Continue

The White Sox are just 3-13 on the road, and Kauffman Stadium hasn’t exactly been a vacation for them. They’re fresh off a rain-shortened win over Houston, where they erased a 4-0 deficit, showing a flash of resilience. But the bigger picture isn’t pretty.

Luis Robert Jr. is heating up, though. He went 2-for-3 on Sunday and has seven RBIs in his last six games, raising his average from a dismal .131 to .195. Maybe he’s turning a corner?

Despite their flashes of brilliance, Chicago still looks like a team searching for its rhythm. If you’re looking to sharpen your betting edge, don’t miss this Expert MLB Betting Guide.

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What This Series Means for the Royals

The Royals are finding their identity in 2025: explosive offense, home-field confidence, and a growing pitching core. This series isn’t just another four-game stretch—it’s a chance to assert themselves as legit contenders early in the season.

With Maikel Garcia raking, Ragans returning, and the White Sox floundering on the road, Kansas City has a golden opportunity to pad their win column and keep the good vibes rolling.

You can track all matchups and key updates on the MLB Picks Page.

FAQs

What is Kansas City’s record against Chicago since 2023?
Kansas City has won 14 of their last 15 games against the White Sox, outscoring them 84-34.

How has Cole Ragans performed vs. the White Sox?
Ragans has allowed no earned runs in 11 innings pitched across two starts against Chicago.

Why is Maikel Garcia key to the Royals’ success?
The Royals are 11-0 this season when Garcia collects two or more hits in a game.

Is Shane Smith a reliable starter for the White Sox?
Smith has been solid with a 2.23 ERA, but struggled in his last outing against Milwaukee.

Are the White Sox better at home or away?
They are just 3-13 on the road but have shown slight improvement at home recently.

Where can I find betting insights for MLB games?
Head over to the Expert Betting Guide for sharp advice and strategy.