In the first of a three-game series between the Kansas City Royals (38-25) and the Boston Red Sox (38-25) at Kauffman Stadium, Yordano Ventura (3-6, 4.68 ERA) and Eduardo Rodriguez (2-1, 3.55 ERA) get the start. The game gets underway at 8:10 p.m. ET on Friday, Jun. 19 and will air on NESN and FSN-KC.
In his last start, Ventura pitched 3.0 innings, giving up two runs, striking out two and walking one in a 4-0 loss to the Cardinals. Eric Hosmer (.297, 37 Rs, 7 HRs, 37 RBIs, 3 SBs) continued his strong season yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one run. The Red Sox were also unsuccessful the last time Rodriguez pitched. He struggled, going, going 4.2 innings, allowing nine runs, striking out one and walking three in a 13-5 loss to the Blue Jays. Brock Holt (.319, 23 Rs, 2 HRs, 15 RBIs, 3 SBs) has been doing well offensively for the Red Sox, going 2 for 4 yesterday with three runs.
Kansas City is a -142 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at seven runs. The Royals perform well as a favorite with a 22-13 record and have an overall money line of +1,018. They are 6-1 as the favorite over their last 10 games. The Royals are a superb hitting team with an MLB-best .273 team batting average. They typically aren’t overmatched by pitchers, leading the AL with an average of only 5.8 strikeouts per game. Kansas City’s pitching staff can be considered for best in its league, with an AL-low 3.36 team ERA. The Royals don’t give up many hits to opposing batters, leading the AL with only 7.7 hits allowed per game.
Across the field, the Red Sox have a record of 9-13 when they are the underdog and are -1,848 overall with the money line. Over the past 10 matchups, they are 2-8 SU and have a poor 0-3 record when they were an underdog to win. Boston has an eye for the strike zone, ranking 3.2 in the AL with fifth walks per game. Boston’s pitching staff has allowed an average of 6.0 runs per game during the last 10 games, higher than their season average of 4.8.
This game will feature Rodriguez (LHP) on the mound against the Royals, who have a 10-9 record when they take on a left-handed starter. The right-handed Ventura will take the mound against the Red Sox, who have a 20-28 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – KC, O/U – Over
Notes
When the Royals play into extra innings, they have a 3-1 record. The Red Sox are 2-2 when their games exceed nine innings.
The Red Sox are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Royals have a 24-20 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they outhit their opponents, the Red Sox are 25-5. The Royals have a 33-4 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 18th in runs, Boston has earned 265 this season. Kansas City ranks 13th with 279 runs.
Ranking 30th, Kansas City is at the bottom of the league in walks, notching 132 this season. Boston ranks in the top five at fifth with 217.
The Royals are 25-11 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Red Sox are 21-22 when they hit at least one homer.
