Ian Kennedy (9-9, 3.57 ERA) and Luis Cessa (4-0, 4.11 ERA) start in the last of a three-game series between the Kansas City Royals (69-63) and the New York Yankees (68-63) at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. The Yankees won the last game 5-4, and the series is currently tied 1-1. Action begins at 8:15 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Aug. 31 and can be seen on FSKC and YES.
Kennedy pitched 5.1 innings in his last outing, surrendering two runs, striking out eight and walking two in a 6-3 win over the Red Sox. Kendrys Morales (.251, 48 Rs, 21 HRs, 61 RBIs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run, one home run, and two RBIs. Cessa went 6.0 innings, surrendering three runs, striking out five and walking one in a 14-4 win over the Orioles in his most recent start. Carlos Beltran (.291, 60 Rs, 25 HRs, 75 RBIs) went 1 for 5 yesterday.
Kansas City is a -147 favorite against New York and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at eight runs. The Royals have recorded an overall money line of +1,141 and have shown high-level performance as a favorite this season with a record of 32-12. Kansas City is unbeaten as the favorite and has an 8-2 SU record in its last ten outings. It’s been a struggle for opposing teams to score runs against the Royals. The 4.2 runs that Kansas City’s pitchers allow per game makes them the second-ranked staff in the AL. The Royals are the fifth-best team in the AL at limiting hits to their opponents, allowing only 8.5 hits per game so far this season.
In games where it is the underdog, New York has a 23-33 record and an overall money line of -132. They have managed to pull off a perfect record over their last ten games while playing as the underdog, and have a 6-4 SU record over the same span. Offensively, the Yankees have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 4.3 runs per game by averaging 5.9 during that stretch. When it comes to issuing walks, the Yankees have the fewest in the AL with only 2.5 walks allowed per game.
The Yankees lead the season series, 4-2. The Royals have a 53-46 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Cessa takes the mound. Kennedy (RHP) will be on the hill against the Yankees, who have a 50-43 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – KC, O/U – Over
Notes
For the 14th time this season, the Yankees registered at least two errors in a game.
The Royals managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Yankees who are coming in with a 32-13 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Royals are 9-43. The Yankees have a 12-52 record when opponents outhit them.
Kansas City ranks near the bottom of the league when it comes to home runs, hitting 117 this season. New York ranks in the bottom half at 19th with 147.
Ranking 11th, New York is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.58 per game. Kansas City ranks in the top five at fourth with 8.96.
Kansas City and New York both rank near the bottom of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Kansas City sits at 26th with an OPS of .714, and New York ranks 23rd with an OPS of .725.
The Yankees are 40-51 when they allow at least one home run. The Royals perform similarly when they allow one or more homers with a 42-51 record.
