Nick Martinez (2-0, 1.47 ERA) and the Texas Rangers (14-18) square off against Edinson Volquez (2-3, 2.65 ERA) and the Kansas City Royals (20-12) in a game that has the potential to be low scoring. This is the second of a four-game series at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers won the last game 8-2 and Texas leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 8:05 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May. 12 and can be seen on FSN-KC and FSN-SW.
Martinez pitched 4.2 innings in his last outing, surrendering three runs, striking out two and walking one in a 5-4 defeat to the Rays. Prince Fielder (.336, 12 Rs, 3 HRs, 15 RBIs) had another good game yesterday, going 2 for 5 with one run, one home run, and one RBI. Against the Rangers, Volquez is 0-1 with a 10.80 ERA, 1.80 WHIP, and six strikeouts. Eric Hosmer (.317, 19 Rs, 5 HRs, 25 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday.
Kansas City takes on Texas as a -124 favorite. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is sitting at eight runs. The Rangers have an overall money line of -62 and a record as the underdog of 12-16.
In the other locker room, Kansas City is coming in with an overall money line of +924 and an impressive record of 9-6 as the favorite. They played solid baseball as the favorite over their last 10 games with a 3-1 record, and a 6-4 record SU. Offensively, they average five runs per game on the road, which is third in the AL. The Royals capitalize on their at-bats at a high percentage, leading the league with a .287 team batting average. Kansas City is excellent at not striking out with an AL-low 5.7 per game. Kansas City’s pitching staff has set the standard for its league, with an AL-low 3.23 ERA. When it comes to preventing batters from getting on base, the Royals are one of the best in the league with a WHIP of 1.18 for the season.
The Rangers have the edge in the season series, 1-0. The Rangers have a 9-11 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Volquez takes the mound. Martinez (RHP) will be on the hill against the Royals, who have very good records against right-handed starting pitchers on the road and overall of 6-3 and 12-7, respectively.
Predictions: SU Winner – KC, O/U – Over
Notes
When the Royals play into extra innings, they have a 2-0 record. The Rangers are 2-1 when their games exceed nine innings.
The Royals managed to give up eight walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Rangers who are heading in with a 1-1 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Royals are 18-4. The Rangers have a 10-2 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 20th, Texas is in the bottom half of the league in runs, scoring 128 this season. Kansas City ranks in the top five at third with 158.
Ranking 29th, Kansas City is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 70 this season. Texas ranks in the top 10 at sixth with 111.
When the Rangers hit at least one home run, they are 10-6, well-matched with the Royals who are 13-6 when hitting one or more homers.
