The Oakland Athletics are set to take on the Kansas City Royals at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. NBC Sports – California will be televising this AL matchup and the first pitch will be at 2:15 p.m. ET.
Oakland Athletics vs. Kansas City Royals Odds
Vegas has listed Kansas City (+100) as the underdog to Oakland (-110). Gamblers can bet on the game’s total with odds sitting at -125 for over 9.5 runs and +105 for under 9.5. The game’s current runline odds stand at +135 for taking the Athletics -1.5 runs and -155 for the Royals +1.5.
The Athletics have gone 30-29 SU this year and are 28-30 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 3.6 units for moneyline bettors, despite having lost 3.6 units ATS. The Royals, on the other hand, are 21-37 SU and 27-30 ATS. They’ve lost 10.8 units for moneyline bettors and 8.1 units ATS.
Royals games have an over/under record of 23-31-3 thus far in 2018. Oakland has an over/under record of 27-28-3.
Daniel Gossett will get the nod for the visiting Athletics. The right-handed Gossett is 0-3 with a 6.05 ERA and 11 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Royals this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Royals are sending righty Jakob Junis (5-4, 3.61 ERA) to the mound. Junis has 62 strikeouts and 17 walks to his name, as well as a WHIP of 1.14. Junis only made one start against the Athletics in 2017 (1-0, 2.57 ERA and two strikeouts across seven innings).
Oakland’s pitchers have allowed 4.3 runs per game and its starters own a 4.19 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 6.94 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 3.51, along with a K/9 of 8.30.
Athletics hitters have slashed .240/.313/.412 on their way to 4.5 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.0 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 6.0 per game over the team’s last five contests (2-3 SU).
Oakland’s offense has been powered by second baseman Jed Lowrie and shortstop Marcus Semien, who have combined to swat 14 home runs. Lowrie is slashing .297/.363/.485 with nine home runs, 41 RBIs and 22 runs scored, while Semien (.267/.318/.383) has produced five homers, 24 RBIs and 36 runs scored.
In the home-team dugout, Kansas City’s pitching staff has given up 5.7 runs per game overall this season. Its starting pitching staff has an ERA of 5.40, a WHIP of 1.45 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.4. The bullpen has a 5.46 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 7.0 K/9.
The Kansas City offense is putting up 4.1 runs per outing, including 4.8 per game over its last 10 games and 4.6 per game over its last five. The team has slashed .286/.345/.481 over its last five contests and is 3-2 SU during that span.
The Royals’ batters have been led by left fielder Jon Jay and second baseman Whit Merrifield. Jay is hitting .305/.361/.363 with 69 hits, 16 RBIs and 26 runs scored, while Merrifield’s line is .296/.375/.431 with four homers, 22 RBIs, 28 runs and 12 stolen bases.
The Athletics have gained 6.2 units and are 18-20 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has cashed in 20 of those games, compared to 17 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Royals have lost 14.3 units and are 15-22 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 15 of those games, compared to 19 that’ve gone under.
Oakland Athletics vs. Kansas City Royals Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Royals, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – UNDER
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Notes
Betting Trends
The under has hit in five of Oakland’s last seven games.
The Royals have won three of their last four games SU.
Kansas City has recorded 24.4 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 26.2 over its last five.
The Athletics have hit 13 home runs in their last 10 games, including eight over their last five.
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