Kris Medlen (1-0, 2.38 ERA) and Tyler Wilson (0-0, 1.12 ERA) take the hill in the second of a three-game series between the Kansas City Royals (11-5) and the Baltimore Orioles (10-5) at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won the last game 4-2, and Kansas City leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 7:15 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 23 and can be seen on MASN, FSKC and MLBN.
Medlen pitched 6.1 innings in his last outing, surrendering two, striking out four and walking four in a 3-2 defeat to the Athletics. Mike Moustakas (.290, 8 Rs, 6 HRs, 9 RBIs) continued his strong play yesterday, going 3 for 4 with one run, one home run, and three RBIs. Wilson went 2.0 innings, surrendering one run, striking out one and walking two in a 4-3 defeat to the Blue Jays in his most recent start. Manny Machado (.397, 14 Rs, 6 HRs, 10 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI.
The odds for Kansas City and Baltimore are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently not available. The Royals have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 0.0 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 0.0 runs per game. Kansas City’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 0.0 runs per game, well under their season average of 0.0.
Offensively, the Orioles have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 0.0 runs per game by averaging 0.0 during that stretch. The Orioles can change the game with one swing of the bat, ranking second in the league with 26 home runs. The Orioles allow 0.0 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 0.0 runs per game during that span. The Orioles have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an AL-best 6.5 strikeouts per road game, making them one of the top five teams in the league.
The Royals have the edge in the season series, 1-0.
Predictions: SU Winner – BAL
Notes
The Royals are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Orioles have a 2-1 record when opponents give up one walk or less.
When they are outhit, the Orioles are 2-4. The Royals have a 2-3 record when opponents outhit them.
Kansas City ranks in the bottom half of the league when it comes to home runs, hitting 15 this season. Baltimore ranks in the top five at second with 26.
Ranking 10th, Kansas City is in the top 10 of the league in hits, notching 8.87 per game. Baltimore ranks in the top five at third with 9.64.
Baltimore tops the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage of .000 this season. Kansas City ranks in the bottom half at 16th with an OPS of .719.
The Orioles are 8-1 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Royals are 7-3 when they allow at least one homer.
