In a game that could be a shootout, Jimmy Nelson (3-7, 4.60 ERA) and the Milwaukee Brewers (24-43) are in Kansas City to take on Jeremy Guthrie (4-4, 5.79 ERA) and the Royals (37-25). This is the second of a two-game series at Kauffman Stadium. The Brewers lost the last game 10-2, continuing a five-game losing streak. Action begins at 8:10 p.m. ET on Thursday, Jun. 18 and can be seen on FSN-KC, FSN-WI and FS1.
Guthrie pitched 5.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering three runs, striking out four and walking one in a 3-2 defeat to the Cardinals. Lorenzo Cain (.291, 40 Rs, 6 HRs, 29 RBIs, 11 SBs) had another good game yesterday, going 2 for 3 with one run and one RBI. Nelson went 5.0 innings, surrendering seven runs, striking out three and walking two in a 7-2 defeat to the Nationals in his most recent start.
Kansas City is a -122 favorite against Milwaukee and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at eight runs. The Royals have recorded an overall money line of +918 and have shown high-level performance as a favorite this season with a record of 21-13. Kansas City is an impressive 5-2 as the favorite over its last 10 games. The Royals have no trouble scoring as they rank fifth in the AL in offense with 4.4 runs per game. The Royals are one of the best in the AL in terms of hits with a phenomenal 9.2 per game. Kansas City strikes out the least of any team in the AL, with only 5.9 per game. Crossing over to the pitching staff, opposing offenses have been stifled by the Royals, who have a team ERA of only 3.38. The Royals are the top team in the AL at limiting hits to their opponents, allowing only 7.8 hits per game so far this season.
In games where it is the underdog, Milwaukee has a 18-26 record and an overall money line of -1,675. Milwaukee is 4-4 as the underdog and 5-6 SU against interleague opponents. Offensively, the Brewers have really picked up the pace in interleague games. They have exceeded their season average of 3.6 runs per game by averaging 4.4 in those contests.
The Royals have the edge in the season series, 3-0. The Royals have a 26-16 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Nelson takes the mound. Guthrie (RHP) will be on the hill against the Brewers, who have a inferior 18-35 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – KC, O/U – Over
Notes
When the Royals play into extra innings, they have a 3-1 record. The Brewers are 2-2 when their games exceed nine innings.
The Brewers managed to give up five walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Royals who are heading in with a 3-2 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Royals are 2-20. The Brewers have a 6-35 record when opponents outhit them.
Kansas City ranks near the bottom of the league at 26th when it comes to home runs, hitting 48 this season. Milwaukee ranks in the top half at 15th with 59.
Ranking 15th, Milwaukee is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 7.89 per game. Kansas City ranks in the top five at second with 9.23.
Ranking 28th, Milwaukee is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.658). Kansas City ranks in the top 10 at sixth with an OPS of .729.
When the Brewers allow at least one home run, they are 15-29. When the Royals allow one or more homers, they have a 16-17 record.
