Yordano Ventura (2-0, 2.31 ERA) and Jesse Hahn (0-1, 3.09 ERA) take the hill in the second of a three-game series between the Kansas City Royals (8-2) and the Oakland Athletics (5-6) at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won the last game 6-4 and Kansas City leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 7:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 18 and can be seen on CSN-CA and FSN-KC.
Ventura pitched 5.2 innings in his most recent start, surrendering two runs, striking out seven and walking two in a 9-2 win over the Angels. Lorenzo Cain (.462, 11 Rs, 2 HRs, 11 RBIs, 3 SBs) kept up his hot start yesterday, going 3 for 4 with one run and one stolen base. Hahn went 5.2 innings, surrendering one, striking out two and walking two in an 8-7 defeat to the Mariners in his last outing. Stephen Vogt (.353, 5 Rs, 3 HRs, 8 RBIs) has been successful at the plate to the start the season for the Athletics, going 3 for 4 yesterday with two runs, two home runs, and two RBIs.
Kansas City is a -144 favorite against Oakland and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at seven runs. The Royals have an overall money line of +508 and a record as the favorite of 4-2. Kansas City is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping nine bases. Crossing over to the pitching staff, the Royals are the second-best team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 0.98 so far this season.
In games where it is the underdog, Oakland has a 2-2 record and an overall money line of -149. The Athletics have a dynamic offense, leading the league with 41 extra base hits. Oakland is excellent at not striking out with just 6.7 per game, ranking second in the AL. When it comes to preventing batters from getting on base, the Athletics are one of the best in the league with a WHIP of 1.04 for the season.
The Royals have the edge in the season series, 1-0. Ventura (RHP) will be on the hill against the Athletics, who have a 4-4 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – KC, O/U – Over
Notes
The Athletics are 0-2 when they go into extra innings.
The Athletics are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Royals have a 2-1 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they outhit their opponents, the Athletics are 4-2. The Royals have an 8-1 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking first in runs, Kansas City has earned 64 this season. Oakland ranks third with 60 runs.
Ranking 23rd, Kansas City is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 25 this season. Oakland ranks in the top half at 13th with 30.
When the Royals hit at least one home run, they are 7-1, well-matched with the Athletics who are 3-1 when hitting one or more homers.
