Yordano Ventura (7-7, 4.97 ERA) and Hector Santiago (7-6, 2.87 ERA) are on the hill in the last of a four-game series between the Kansas City Royals (70-46) and the Los Angeles Angels (60-56) at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won the last game 9-4 and Kansas City leads the series 2-1. Action begins at 8:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 16 and can be seen on ESPN.
Ventura pitched 6.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering zero runs, striking out eight and walking six in a 6-1 win over the Tigers. Eric Hosmer (.319, 72 Rs, 14 HRs, 70 RBIs, 5 SBs) continued his strong play yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one run and one RBI. Santiago went 5.1 innings, surrendering three runs, striking out four and walking one in a 3-0 defeat to the White Sox in his most recent start. Albert Pujols (.253, 64 Rs, 31 HRs, 67 RBIs, 4 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI.
Kansas City is a -139 favorite against Los Angeles and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at seven runs. The Royals have recorded an overall money line of +2,042 and have shown high-level performance as a favorite this season with a record of 39-22. Kansas City is an impressive 6-2 as the favorite over its last 10 games. Kansas City is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping 78 bases. As for the pitchers, the Royals are the fifth-best team in the AL at limiting hits to their opponents, allowing only 8.2 hits per game so far this season.
Over in the other dugout, Los Angeles is coming in with an overall money line of -114 and a disappointing record of 17-28 as the underdog. They have been on a bit of a dry streak over their last 10 games. They managed a 0-2 record when playing as the underdog. Offensively, the Angels have really sputtered in the last 10 games. They have decreased their season average of 4.1 runs per game by averaging 2.9 during that stretch. The Angels have a dynamic offense, ranking fifth in the league with 307 extra base hits. Los Angeles is excellent at not striking out n the road with just 7.1 per game, ranking third in the AL. When it comes to issuing walks, the Angels have the third-fewest in the AL with an average of just 2.6 walks allowed per game.
The Royals have controlled the season series, 5-1. The Royals have a 22-18 record against left-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Santiago takes the mound. Ventura (RHP) will be on the hill against the Angels, who have a 44-42 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – LAA, O/U – Over
Notes
The Royals are coming into this game after allowing zero walks during their last outing. The Angels have a 4-5 record when opponents give up that many walks.
It looks like the Royals have a slight leg up on the Angels, as the Royals have won their last two games while the Angels have lost their last two.
When they outhit their opponents, the Angels are 44-13. The Royals have a 56-8 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 16th in runs, Los Angeles has earned 476 this season. Kansas City ranks fifth with 509 runs.
Ranking 30th, Kansas City is at the bottom of the league in walks, notching 255 this season. Los Angeles ranks in the top half at 15th with 323.
When the Royals hit at least one home run, they are 48-18, well-matched with the Angels who are 47-27 when hitting one or more homers.
