Jesse Hahn (5-5, 3.40 ERA) and the Oakland Athletics (34-41) go up against Edinson Volquez (7-4, 3.33 ERA) and the Kansas City Royals (41-28) in the first of a three-game series at O.C. Coliseum. The Athletics enter this series on a five-game winning streak. The game starts at 10:05 p.m. ET on Friday, Jun. 26 and will air on FSN-KC and CSN-CA.
In his last start, Hahn pitched 7.2 innings, giving up one run, striking out four and walking four in a 4-1 victory over the Angels. Stephen Vogt (.308, 37 Rs, 13 HRs, 53 RBIs) continued his strong season yesterday, going 3 for 5 with one run. In his career against the Athletics, Volquez is 1-2 with a 4.20 ERA. He gets a strong Oakland offense that’s batting .261. Mike Moustakas (.328, 37 Rs, 7 HRs, 30 RBIs, 1 SB) has been doing well, going 2 for 5 Wednesday with one run, one home run, and two RBIs.
Oakland is a -128 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is seven runs. When playing as the favorite, the Athletics have a 21-24 record and overall money line at -1,512. Over the last 10 games, they have a very good record when playing as the favorite (5-2). Oakland has averaged 7.0 runs per game over the last 10 games, higher than its season average of 4.5. They typically aren’t overmatched by pitchers, ranking third in the AL with an average of only 6.7 strikeouts per game. Transitioning to the pitching staff, the Athletics are fourth in the AL in walks allowed at home with just 2.7 per game.
On the other side, the Royals have a record of 17-13 when they are the underdog and are +1,139 overall with the money line. The Royals average just 5.8 strikeouts per game, good for least in the AL.
The Royals are 2-1 against the Athletics this season. The Athletics will take on a right-hander (Volquez) in this game and have a 29-28 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. The right-handed Hahn will take the mound against the Royals. Against righty starters this season, they’ve racked up an impressive 30-16 record.
Predictions: SU Winner – OAK, O/U – Over
Notes
When the Royals play into extra innings, they have a 3-1 record. The Athletics are 0-6 when their games exceed nine innings.
The Royals are coming into this game after allowing zero walks during their last outing. The Athletics have a 0-2 record when opponents give up that many walks.
When they outhit their opponents, the Athletics are 25-10. The Royals have a 36-4 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 14th, Kansas City sits in the top half of the league in runs, scoring 303 this season. Oakland ranks in the top five at third with 341.
Ranking 30th, Kansas City is at the bottom of the league in walks, notching 144 this season. Oakland ranks in the top five at fourth with 239.
When the Athletics hit at least one home run, they are 22-20. When the Royals hit at least one homer, they have a 27-12 record.
