The Texas Rangers are set to host the Kansas City Royals at Globe Life Park. The game gets underway 8:05 p.m. ET and Fox Sports Kansas City will showcase this AL matchup.
Kansas City Royals at Texas Rangers Odds
Vegas has listed Texas (-145) as the favorite over Kansas City (+135). Bettors can wager on the game’s total with odds sitting at -105 for over 10 runs and -115 for under 10. The game’s current runline odds stand at -160 for betting the Royals +1.5 runs and +140 for the Rangers -1.5 runs.
The Rangers are 20-32 SU and 21-30 ATS. They’ve lost 3.0 units for moneyline bettors and 13.9 units against the spread (ATS). Texas has a 3-4 ATS mark over its last seven games and the under has cashed in three of those seven. The Royals are 17-33 SU and have gone 22-27 ATS. In total, the team’s lost 11.8 units for moneyline gamblers and 9.2 units ATS. Kansas City is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the under has cashed in five of those seven.
Texas games have had an over/under record of 25-22-4 so far in 2018. Kansas City has been a decent under bet with a total record of 19-28-2.
Left-hander Eric Skoglund is projected to start for Kansas City. Skoglund is 1-4 with a 6.15 ERA and 35 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Rangers this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Rangers are putting the ball in the left hand of Mike Minor (3-3, 5.59 ERA, 1.32 WHIP), who has 46 strikeouts and 11 walks. Minor did not record a start against the Royals in 2017.
As a unit, Texas’ pitchers have given up 5.4 runs per game overall this season. Its starting pitching staff has an ERA of 5.28, a WHIP of 1.46 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.3. The bullpen has a 4.23 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 8.4 K/9.
The Texas hitters are putting up 4.2 runs per outing, including 5.5 per game over its last 10 games and 5.0 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .188/.302/.370 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
Nomar Mazara and Shin-soo Choo have led the way for the Rangers’ batters this year. Mazara is hitting .269/.335/.497 with 11 home runs, 31 RBIs and 29 runs scored, while Choo is hitting .256 with six homers, 21 RBIs and 30 runs.
Mazara didn’t perform very well against left-handed pitching last year. Over 133 plate appearances, he slashed .228/.286/.317 (compared to his total season line of .253/.323/.422).
In the visiting dugout, Kansas City’s pitching staff allowed 5.5 runs per game and its starters own a 5.37 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 7.22 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 5.17, along with a WHIP of 1.42.
The Royals offense has slashed .255/.321/.383 on its way to 4.0 runs scored per game this season, including 3.6 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 3.8 per game over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).
Kansas City’s offense has been led by left fielder Jon Jay and third baseman Mike Moustakas. Jay is slashing .292/.348/.339 with 56 hits, 13 RBIs and 19 runs scored, while Moustakas (.282/.332/.503) is up to 55 hits, 10 homers, 31 RBIs and 27 runs scored.
The Royals have gained 2.7 units and are 11-7 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has cashed in seven of those games, compared to 11 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Rangers have lost 1.8 units and are 5-9 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in eight of those games, as opposed to four which went under the total.
Kansas City Royals vs. Texas Rangers MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Rangers, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Trends
The Royals have hit five home runs in their last 10 games, including three over their last five.
Kansas City has posted 19.0 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 18.6 over its last five.
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