Kris Medlen (1-0, 2.51 ERA) and the Kansas City Royals (75-48) go up against Ubaldo Jimenez (9-7, 3.97 ERA) and the Baltimore Orioles (62-60) in the first of a four-game series at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. The game gets underway at 8:10 p.m. ET on Monday, Aug. 24 and will air on FSKC and MASN.
In his last start, Medlen pitched 3.0 innings, allowing zero runs and striking out two in a 4-1 loss to the Red Sox. Eric Hosmer (.317, 76 Rs, 14 HRs, 74 RBIs, 5 SBs) continued his strong season yesterday, going 2 for 5 with two runs and two RBIs. The Orioles were unsuccessful the last time Jimenez pitched. He tossed 5.0 innings, allowing three runs, striking out six and walking four in a 5-4 loss to the Mets. Manny Machado (.296, 76 Rs, 25 HRs, 62 RBIs, 16 SBs) went 1 for 5 yesterday.
Kansas City is a -122 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is eight runs. The Royals perform well as a favorite with a 43-23 record and have an overall money line of +2,410. Over the last 10 games, they have a very good record when playing as the favorite (5-1). The Royals are a nightmare for opponents on the bases with 83 steals, one of the highest totals in baseball. Turning to the pitching and defensive side, the Kansas City pitching staff and defense is very good at home, only giving up 3.5 runs per game.
Across the field, the Orioles have a record of 22-30 when they are the underdog and are -268 overall with the money line. Over the last 10 games, they were winless as the underdog with a 0-1 record and 5-5 SU. Baltimore is one of the top home-run-hitting teams in the league with 161 home runs.
The Royals will take on a right-hander (Jimenez) in this game. They have done very well against right-handed starting pitchers this season (51-28), especially at home where they have a 28-12 record. Taking the hill against the Orioles will be the right-hander Medlen. They sport a 45-48 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – KC, O/U – Over
Notes
After last game’s shutout win against the Minnesota, the Orioles now have nine shutouts this season. The Royals have been shut out in nine games this season.
The Royals are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Orioles have a 16-22 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
It looks like the Royals have a slight leg up on the Orioles, as the Royals have won their last two games while the Orioles have lost their last three.
When they outhit their opponents, the Orioles are 45-11. The Royals have a 60-8 record when outhitting opponents.
Both falling in the top 10 of the league based on total runs this season, Kansas City ranks ninth with 537 runs and Baltimore is eighth with 541.
Ranking 30th, Kansas City is at the bottom of the league in walks, notching 274 this season. Baltimore ranks near the bottom at 26th with 295.
The Royals are 51-20 when they hit at least one home run. The Orioles perform similarly when they hit one or more homers with a 55-32 record.
