The Kansas City Royals will head east to play the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Fox Sports Kansas City will be showing this interleague matchup and the game gets underway at 7:05 p.m. ET.
Kansas City Royals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Odds
Pittsburgh (-165) is favored over Kansas City (+155) and Vegas has put the Over/Under for this one at eight runs. Odds for wagering on the game’s total stand at +100 for the under and -120 for the over. Runline odds stand at -140 for picking the Royals +1.5 runs and +120 for the Pirates -1.5.
The Royals are 52-97 SU and have gone 73-75 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 23.7 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 10.4 units ATS. The Pirates, on the other hand, are 74-74 SU and 72-75 ATS. They’ve lost 0.5 units for moneyline bettors and 10.9 units ATS.
Pirates games have a 65-72-10 over/under record in 2018. Royals games have gone under 73 times, gone over 64 times and pushed on 11 occasions.
Right-hander Brad Keller is getting the nod for the visiting Royals. Keller (8-6, 3.04 ERA) has racked up 87 punchouts in 127.1 innings so far. He has yet to face the Pirates this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Pirates are turning to righty Joe Musgrove (6-9, 3.87 ERA), who has 96 strikeouts and 23 walks to his credit as well as a WHIP of 1.17. Musgrove did not record a start against the Royals in 2017.
Kansas City’s pitchers have allowed 5.2 runs per game and its starters own a 5.01 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 7.33 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 5.07, along with a WHIP of 1.43.
Royals hitters have slashed .246/.309/.390 on their way to 3.9 runs scored per game in 2018, including 5.3 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 6.4 per game over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
Kansas City’s offensive production has been fueled by second baseman Whit Merrifield and outfielder Alex Gordon. The speedy Merrifield is slashing .302/.366/.436 with 12 home runs, 57 RBIs, 81 runs and 36 stolen bases, while Gordon has a .242 average with 11 homers, 47 RBIs and 52 runs scored.
For the home team, Pittsburgh’s pitchers have given up 4.3 runs per game overall this season. Its starting pitching staff has an ERA of 4.01, a WHIP of 1.26 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.5. The bullpen has a 4.11 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 9.6 K/9.
The Pittsburgh offense has put up 4.3 runs per outing, including 4.6 per game over its last 10 games and 3.8 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .230/.311/.342 over its last five games and is 3-2 SU during that span.
Outfielders Starling Marte and Corey Dickerson have led the Pirates’ hitters this year. Marte is slashing .272/.316/.449 with 19 home runs, 66 RBIs, 75 runs and 32 stolen bases, while Dickerson’s line is .293/.324/.456 with 11 homers, 50 RBIs and 60 runs.
Kansas City Royals at Pittsburgh Pirates Free Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Pirates, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Notes
Kansas City has recorded 24 extra-base hits over its last five contests. Pittsburgh has 15 XBH over its last five.
Kansas City has recorded 23.9 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 28.4 over its last five.
The Royals have hit nine home runs in their last 10 games, including five over their last five.
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