The Tampa Bay Rays are searching for their fourth straight win as they play host to the Kansas City Royals at Tropicana Field. This AL matchup will get going at 7:10 p.m. ET and Fox Sports Kansas City is in line to broadcast the game.
Kansas City Royals at Tampa Bay Rays Odds
The Royals have gone 38-88 SU this year and are 59-66 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 33.3 units for moneyline bettors and 17.6 units ATS. Kansas City has covered the spread six times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven. The Rays, on the other hand, are 65-61 SU and 67-58 ATS. They’ve gained 8.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 10.4 units ATS. Tampa Bay has a 3-4 ATS record over its last seven games and the total has gone under in six of those seven.
Tampa Bay games have an over/under record of 52-70-3 in 2018. Royals games have gone under 64 times, gone over 54 times and pushed on seven occasions.
The right-handed Jakob Junis is the probable starter for the visiting Royals. Junis is 6-11 with a 4.76 ERA and 127 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Rays this year and only made one start against them in 2017 (2-0, 1.35 ERA and 10 strikeouts across six and two-third innings).
The Rays are putting the ball in the right hand of Ryne Stanek (1-3, 2.68 ERA, 1.09 WHIP), who’s got 62 strikeouts and 21 walks. Stanek is 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA against Kansas City this year.
As a unit, Tampa Bay’s pitchers have allowed 4.0 runs per game overall this year. Its starters have a 3.73 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 9.3 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 3.73 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 8.3 K/9.
The Tampa Bay hitters have put up 4.1 runs per contest, including 2.6 per game over its last 10 games and 2.4 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .236/.317/.373 over its last five contests and is 3-2 SU during that span.
The Rays’ hitters have been led by third baseman Matt Duffy and outfielder Mallex Smith. Duffy is hitting .291/.348/.367 with four home runs, 32 RBIs and 42 runs scored, and Smith is batting .302 with 110 hits, 29 RBIs, 49 runs and 26 steals.
In the visiting dugout, Kansas City’s pitchers have allowed 5.4 runs per game and its starters own a 5.33 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 7.39 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 5.17, along with a WHIP of 1.48 and a K/9 of 7.34.
The Royals offense has slashed .240/.304/.373 on its way to 3.7 runs scored per game this season, including 3.4 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 2.6 per game over the team’s last five contests (1-4 SU).
Second baseman Whit Merrifield and catcher Salvador Perez continue to lead Kansas City’s offense. The speedy Merrifield is slashing .303/.372/.426 with eight home runs, 43 RBIs, 58 runs and 27 stolen bases, while Perez is hitting .235/.273/.431 with 21 homers, 60 RBIs and 40 runs scored.
The Royals have lost 28.9 units and are 37-48 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 40 of those games, compared to 40 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Rays have netted 2.3 units and are 45-43 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 40 of those games, compared to 46 which went under the total.
Kansas City Royals at Tampa Bay Rays MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Rays, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Notes
Kansas City has logged 12 extra-base hits over its last five outings. Tampa Bay has 13 XBH over its last five.
The Royals have hit 10 home runs in their last 10 games. The Rays have hit six over their last 10.
Tampa Bay has posted 18.2 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 17.6 over its last five.
The Royals have lost four of their last five games SU.
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