The struggling Kansas City Royals are trying to avoid losing their fifth in a row as they play host to the Chicago Cubs at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. NBC Sports Chicago will broadcast this interleague matchup and the action gets going at 8:15 p.m. ET.
Chicago Cubs vs. Kansas City Royals Odds
Chicago (-175) is favored against Kansas City (+165) and oddsmakers have put the Over/Under for this game at 9.5 runs (-110 for the under and -110 for the over). Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the odds coming in at Cubs -1.5 runs (-120) and Royals +1.5 runs (+100).
The Royals are 34-77 straight up (SU) and 51-60 against the spread (ATS). The team’s lost 28.8 units for moneyline bettors and 18.5 units (ATS). Kansas City has a 3-4 ATS mark over its last seven games and the over has hit in five of those seven. The Cubs have gone 64-47 SU this year and are 56-55 ATS. Overall, the team’s lost 0.2 units for moneyline bettors, but have gained 1.1 units ATS. Chicago is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the under has cashed in three of those seven.
Royals games have had an over/under record of 48-57-6 in 2018. The Cubs have an over/under record of 52-57-2.
Mike Montgomery will get the nod for the Cubbies. The left-handed Montgomery (3-4, 3.90 ERA) has recorded 56 strikeouts in 92.1 innings so far. He has yet to face the Royals this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Royals are putting the ball in the hands of righty Brad Keller (4-4, 3.39 ERA), who’s got 54 strikeouts and 35 walks, as well as a WHIP of 1.36. Keller did not pitch in the majors last season.
As a unit, Kansas City’s pitching staff has given up 5.5 runs per game overall this year. Its starters have an ERA of 5.35, a WHIP of 1.48 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.4. The bullpen has a 5.38 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 7.1 K/9.
The Kansas City hitters are putting up 3.7 runs per outing, including 4.8 per game over its last 10 games and 5.0 per game over their last five. The team has hit .256/.307/.386 over its last five games and is 1-4 SU during that span.
Second baseman Whit Merrifield and third baseman Mike Moustakas have led the Royals’ hitters this year. Merrifield is slashing .307/.375/.436 with seven home runs, 37 RBIs, 54 runs and 25 stolen bases, and Moustakas is hitting .249 with 20 homers, 62 RBIs and 46 runs scored.
In the visiting dugout, Chicago’s pitching staff allowed 4.1 runs per game and its starters own a 4.14 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 7.62 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 3.35, along with a K-per-9 of 8.79.
Cubs hitters have slashed .267/.348/.426 on their way to 5.0 runs scored per game this year, including 4.6 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 5.2 per game over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
Second baseman Javier Baez and first baseman Anthony Rizzo continue to lead Chicago’s offense. Baez is hitting .300/.333/.585 with 24 home runs, 86 RBIs, 70 runs and 19 steals. Rizzo is hitting .266/.361/.451 with 17 homers, 74 RBIs and 47 runs scored.
The Cubs have lost 5.2 units and are 41-43 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has cashed in 40 of those games, compared to 42 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Royals have lost 2.4 units and are 20-15 ATS when facing a lefty starter. The over’s hit in 13 of those games, compared to 21 that went under.
Chicago Cubs vs. Kansas City Royals Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Cubs, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Notes
Chicago has logged 18 extra-base hits over its last five contests. Kansas City has 13 XBH over its last five.
The Cubs have hit 15 home runs in their last 10 games. The Royals have hit 14 over their last 10.
Chicago fielders have committed six errors over their last five games, compared to zero errors for Kansas City over its last five.
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