Dillon Gee (1-2, 3.86 ERA) and Drew Smyly (2-6, 3.92 ERA) start in the second of a three-game series between the Kansas City Royals (28-22) and the Tampa Bay Rays (22-27) at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won the last game 6-2, and Kansas City leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 8:15 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May. 31 and can be seen on FSKC and SUN.
Gee pitched 4.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering six runs (one unearned), striking out six and walking one in a 7-5 defeat to the Twins. Eric Hosmer (.323, 28 Rs, 10 HRs, 33 RBIs, 4 SBs) continued his strong play yesterday, going 2 for 4 with one run, one home run, and three RBIs. Smyly went 6.0 innings, surrendering five runs, striking out four and walking one in a 9-1 defeat to the Marlins in his last outing. Steve Pearce (.303, 20 Rs, 8 HRs, 20 RBIs) went 1 for 2 yesterday with one run.
The odds for Kansas City and Tampa Bay are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently not available. The Royals have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 0.0 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 0.0 runs per game. Kansas City is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping 37 bases. Kansas City’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 0.0 runs per game, well under their season average of 0.0.
Offensively, the Rays have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 0.0 runs per game by averaging 0.0 during that stretch. The Rays can change the game with one swing of the bat, ranking third in the league with 70 home runs. Tampa Bay is excellent at making contact with just 9.4 strikeouts per game, ranking third in the AL. The Rays allow 0.0 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 0.0 runs per game during that span. When it comes to issuing walks, the Rays have the fourth-fewest in the AL with an average of just 2.7 walks allowed per game.
The Royals have the edge in the season series, 1-0.
Predictions: SU Winner – TB
Notes
Tampa Bay has won 50% (10-10) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, Kansas City has won 52% (11-10) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Rays are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Royals have an 18-17 record when opponents give up two walks or less.
When they are outhit, the Rays are 3-19. The Royals have a 4-13 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 28th in home runs, Kansas City has hit 42 this season. Tampa Bay ranks third with 70 home runs.
Ranking 24th, Tampa Bay is near the bottom of the league in hits, notching 7.94 per game. Kansas City ranks in the top 10 at seventh with 9.10.
Ranking 19th, Kansas City is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.722). Tampa Bay ranks in the top half at 14th with an OPS of .732.
The Rays are 10-25 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Royals are 14-16 when they allow at least one homer.
