The Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals get their 2019 campaigns rolling Thursday at Kauffman Stadium. First pitch will be thrown shortly after 4:15 p.m. Eastern.

Odds provided by FanDuel

Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals: Projected Starting Pitchers

LHP Carlos Rodon vs. RHP Brad Keller

Rodon was limited to 120 2/3 innings in 2018. His 4.10 BB/9 was his highest rate since his rookie 2015 season and his 6.71 K/9 was his lowest. He allowed a flyball rate of 42.9 percent that was higher than his groundball percentage, and opposing batters hit him hard 30.9 percent of the time.

Keller was a Rule 5 selection in 2017 and pitched his way to a 3.08 ERA over 140 1/3 innings last season, splitting that time nearly equally between the rotation and bullpen. He strikes out just 6.16 batters per nine innings while walking 3.21.

FANTASY BASEBALL CRAM SESSION: Subscribe to BaseballHQ.com's Draft Prep Subscription, use the code "CRAM" and take 50% off. Offer expires 3/31/2019.

Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals: By the Numbers

• The White Sox and Royals are projected to finish third and fifth, respectively, in the AL Central at odds of +3300 and +5000.
• Kauffman Stadium ranked 10th in run rate last season but just 21st in homers. Both teams finished in the bottom half of the league in both statistics in 2018.
• Only five teams spent less than the Royals' $42.3 million in the offseason after finishing at 58-104 a year ago.

Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals: Key Injuries

The Royals lost veteran C Salvador Perez to an elbow injury this spring. He's done for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. C Martin Maldonado is expected to get the bulk of playing time behind the dish.

Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals: Picks and Betting Tips

Moneyline: The White Sox relied on the long ball to generate offense last year, but Keller allowed just 0.45 homers per nine. Back the Royals at -116 with the sophomore keeping Chicago grounded.

Against the spread: The spread's set at 1.5, with the Royals at +180 to cover and Chicago favored at -215. Get the Royals at better odds than the moneyline.

Over/under: With Keller limiting damage via home run and the Royals lacking any serious power threats in their lineup, under 8 at -110 is the play until these two offenses prove themselves.

Follow Esten on Twitter @EstenMcLaren

MORE:

NFL Week 4 Awards: Ref's hot mic let us hear his hilarious message to player

Fantasy football waiver wire targets after Week 4: A Buccaneers RB sets himself apart

Dak Prescott's pass into quadruple coverage made for a hilarious NFL meme

Frustrated Falcons fan unleashed on the team with a lively halftime rant

Leonard Fournette confronted Jaguars teammate Cam Robinson after last-second win