Jeremy Guthrie (1-0, 5.14 ERA) and Sonny Gray (1-0, 0.59 ERA) start in the first of a three-game series between the Kansas City Royals (7-2) and the Oakland Athletics (5-5) at Kauffman Stadium. Action begins at 8:10 p.m. ET on Friday, Apr. 17 and can be seen on CSN-CA and FSN-KC.
Guthrie is 4-5 with a 4.55 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, and 47 strikeouts against the Athletics. Lorenzo Cain (.429 ) had a good game yesterday, going 3 for 4 with three runs, one home run, three RBIs, and one stolen base. When pitching against the Royals, Gray is 0-2 with a 1.93 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, and nine strikeouts. Billy Butler (.359, 7 Rs, 1 HR, 6 RBIs) went 1 for 4 Wednesday with one run.
Oakland is a narrow -115 favorite over Kansas City. The Over/Under (O/U) is sitting at seven runs for this matchup. With a record of 3-0 when playing as the underdog and an overall money line of +625, the Royals have fared well so far this season. The Royals are one of the best in the MLB in terms of extra base hits with 32. Kansas City is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping eight bases. Turning to the pitchers, the Royals are the third-best team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 0.96 so far this season.
In games where it is the favorite, Oakland has a 3-3 record and an overall money line of -149. The Athletics have a dynamic offense, ranking third in the league with 36 extra base hits. Oakland is excellent at not striking out with just 6.7 per game, ranking second in the AL. When it comes to preventing batters from getting on base, the Athletics are one of the best in the league with a WHIP of 0.96 for the season.
Guthrie (RHP) will be on the hill against the Athletics, who have a 4-4 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – KC, O/U – Over
Notes
In extra innings, the Athletics are 0-2.
Having scored one run in their last game, the Athletics are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Royals have a 2-0 record in games where opponents scored that many runs or fewer.
When they outhit their opponents, the Athletics are 4-2. The Royals have a 7-1 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking first in runs, Kansas City has earned 58 this season. Oakland ranks second with 56 runs.
Ranking 21st, Kansas City is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 24 this season. Oakland ranks in the top half at 11th with 28.
When the Royals hit at least one home run, they are 7-1. When the Athletics hit at least one homer, they have a 3-0 record.
