Yordano Ventura (1-0, 2.81 ERA) and Mike Wright (1-1, 5.73 ERA) start in the last of a three-game series between the Kansas City Royals (11-6) and the Baltimore Orioles (11-5) at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. The Orioles won the last game 8-3, and the series is currently tied 1-1. Action begins at 2:15 p.m. ET on Sunday, Apr. 24 and can be seen on MAS2 and FSKC.
Ventura pitched 5.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering two runs, striking out five and walking three in an 8-6 win over the Tigers. Eric Hosmer (.299, 7 Rs, 1 HR, 5 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday. Wright went 6.0 innings, surrendering three runs, striking out four and walking three in a 4-3 defeat to the Blue Jays in his last outing. Manny Machado (.397, 15 Rs, 6 HRs, 11 RBIs) has been successful at the plate for the Orioles, going 2 for 5 yesterday with one run and one RBI.
The odds for Kansas City and Baltimore are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable as of now. 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 27 home runs. Baltimore is excellent at not striking out on the road with just 9.9 per game, ranking third in the AL. 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 5.9 strikeouts per road game, making them one of the top five teams in the league.
Predictions: SU Winner – BAL
Notes
The Royals managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Orioles who are coming in with a 7-1 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
The Royals and the Orioles are both 2-4 when they are outhit.
Kansas City ranks in the bottom half of the league when it comes to home runs, hitting 16 this season. Baltimore ranks in the top five at second with 27.
Ranking 12th, Kansas City is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.71 per game. Baltimore ranks in the top five at second with 9.62.
Ranking first in on-base plus slugging percentage, Baltimore has an OPS of .000 this season. Kansas City ranks 16th with an OPS of .711.
The Orioles are 9-1 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Royals are 7-4 when they allow at least one homer.
