The Kansas City Royals are playing host to the Oakland Athletics at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. The first pitch is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. ET and NBC Sports – California is in line to broadcast this AL matchup.
Oakland Athletics at Kansas City Royals Odds
Oakland (-130) is entering this game as the favorite against Kansas City (+120) and oddsmakers have put the Over/Under for this one at 9.5 runs (-120 for the under and +100 for the over). Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the current runline odds sitting at +115 for the Athletics -1.5 runs and -135 for the Royals +1.5.
The Royals are 20-37 SU and 27-29 ATS. They’ve lost 9.8 units for moneyline bettors and 6.7 units against the spread (ATS). Kansas City has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in three of those seven. The Athletics have gone 30-28 SU this year and are 27-30 ATS. In total, the team’s gained 2.6 units for moneyline bettors, but have lost 4.8 units ATS. Oaklandhas covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven.
Kansas City games have an over/under record of 22-31-3 so far in 2018. Oakland has an over/under record of 26-28-3.
The right-handed Trevor Cahill is getting the start for the visiting Athletics. Cahill is 1-2 with a 2.25 ERA and 41 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Royals this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Royals will put the ball in the right hand of Jason Hammel (2-5, 5.23 ERA, 1.42 WHIP), who has 43 strikeouts and 18 walks. Hammel made two starts against the Athletics in 2017, compiling a 0-1 record with a 6.75 ERA.
Kansas City’s pitchers have yielded 5.7 runs per game overall in 2018 as a unit. Its starters have an ERA of 5.42, a WHIP of 1.44 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.5.s The bullpen has a 5.50 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 7.1 K/9.
Kansas City’s offense is putting up 4.0 runs per outing, including 4.8 per game over its last 10 games and 4.6 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .284/.335/.464 over its last five contests and is 3-2 SU during that stretch.
The Royals’ offense has been led by outfielder Jon Jay and second baseman Whit Merrifield. Jay is slashing .302/.359/.356 with 67 hits, 15 RBIs and 25 runs scored, while Merrifield is hitting .296 with four homers, 22 RBIs, 27 runs and 12 steals.
In the visiting dugout, Oakland’s pitching staff allowed 4.3 runs per game and its starters own a 4.14 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 6.87 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.52, along with a K-per-9 of 8.26.
The Athletics offense has slashed .240/.313/.412 on its way to 4.5 runs scored per game this season, including 3.6 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 5.2 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).
Oakland’s hitters have been powered by second baseman Jed Lowrie and shortstop Marcus Semien, who’ve collectively swatted 14 home runs. Lowrie is slashing .295/.363/.487 with nine home runs, 40 RBIs and 22 runs scored, while Semien is slashing .268/.320/.383 with five homers, 24 RBIs and 35 runs scored.
The Athletics have gained 5.2 units and are 17-20 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has cashed in 19 of those games, compared to 17 that’ve hit the under against righties. On the other hand, the Royals have lost 13.3 units and are 15-21 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over’s cashed in 14 of those games, compared to 19 that’ve gone under.
Oakland Athletics vs. Kansas City Royals MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Athletics, ATS Winner – Athletics, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Trends
Both teams have hit 12 home runs over their last 10 games.
Kansas City has recorded 24.8 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 26.6 over its last five.
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