Yordano Ventura (3-2, 4.62 ERA) and Rick Porcello (6-1, 3.11 ERA) are on the hill in the first of a three-game series between the Kansas City Royals (18-19) and the Boston Red Sox (24-14) at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. Action begins at 8:15 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May. 17 and can be seen on NESN and FSKC.
Ventura pitched 6.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering three runs, striking out one and walking three in a 7-3 win over the Yankees. Eric Hosmer (.336, 19 Rs, 6 HRs, 17 RBIs, 3 SBs) continued his strong play Sunday, going 2 for 6 with one RBI. Porcello went 6.2 innings, surrendering three runs, striking out five and walking two in a 13-3 win over the Athletics in his last outing. David Ortiz (.320, 20 Rs, 10 HRs, 33 RBIs, 1 SB) has been successful at the plate for the Red Sox, going 3 for 5 Sunday with one run, one home run, and three RBIs.
The odds for Kansas City and Boston are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. 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 is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping 28 bases. 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, they average 0.0 runs per game, which the best in the AL. The Red Sox capitalize on their at-bats at a high percentage, leading the league with a .298 team batting average. The Red Sox are an excellent base stealing team with 30 stolen bases, ranking second in the MLB. The Red Sox 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. When it comes to preventing batters from getting hits, the Red Sox are third in the AL on the road with an average of 7.1 hits allowed per away game.
Predictions: SU Winner – BOS
Notes
Boston recorded at least two errors for the first time this season.
The Royals managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Red Sox who are coming in with a 12-4 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Red Sox are 1-9. The Royals have a 3-11 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 26th in home runs, Kansas City has hit 33 this season. Boston ranks 11th with 45 home runs.
Ranking first in hits, Boston has earned 10.66 per game this season. Kansas City ranks 12th with 8.59 hits.
Ranking first in on-base plus slugging percentage, Boston has an OPS of .850 this season. Kansas City ranks 24th with an OPS of .693.
When the Red Sox allow at least one home run, they are 15-10. When the Royals allow one or more homers, they have a 9-13 record.
