The Baltimore Orioles will be squaring off against the Kansas City Royals at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. This AL matchup will get underway at 2:15 p.m. ET and fans can tune in to Fox Sports Kansas City to catch the action.
Baltimore Orioles vs. Kansas City Royals Odds
Oddsmakers have put matching -105 moneyline odds on both of these teams. The total is sitting at 9.5 runs and bettors can take the over for -115 and the under for -105. Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the current runline odds standing at Orioles -1.5 runs (+140) and Royals +1.5 runs (-160).
The Orioles are 40-96 SU and have gone 56-79 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 46.4 units for moneyline gamblers and 34.0 units ATS. Baltimore is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the over has hit in four of those seven. The Royals, on the other hand, are 44-91 SU and 65-69 ATS. The team’s lost 29.7 units for moneyline bettors and 12.7 units ATS. Kansas City has covered the spread six times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in three of those seven.
Royals games have an over/under record of 58-66-10 in 2018. Orioles games have gone under 71 times, gone over 59 times and pushed on five occasions.
Right-hander David Hess is getting the start for the visiting Orioles. Hess is 3-8 with a 5.08 ERA and 52 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Royals this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Royals will send righty Jorge Lopez (0-4, 4.86 ERA) to the mound. Lopez has 25 punchouts and 21 walks to his credit, as well as a 1.65 WHIP. Lopez did not record a start against the Orioles in 2017.
Baltimore’s pitching staff allowed 5.5 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 5.41 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 7.16 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 4.78, along with a WHIP of 1.48.
The Orioles offense has slashed .239/.302/.397 on its way to 3.9 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.7 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 7.0 per game over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).
Baltimore’s offensive production has been powered by outfielders Adam Jones and Trey Mancini, who have combined to swat 35 home runs. Jones is hitting .286/.319/.431 with 14 home runs, 55 RBIs and 51 runs scored, while Mancini (.243/.304/.420) is up to 21 homers, 50 RBIs and 60 runs scored.
For the home team, Kansas City’s pitchers have allowed 5.3 runs per game overall in 2018. The team’s starters have a 5.16 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 7.4 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 5.20 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 7.3 K/9.
The Kansas City offense has produced 3.8 runs per outing, including 5.3 per game over its last 10 games and 6.8 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .325/.377/.609 over its last five games and is 4-1 SU during that span.
Second baseman Whit Merrifield and catcher Salvador Perez have led the Royals’ hitters this year. Merrifield is slashing .311/.377/.449 with 11 home runs, 50 RBIs, 68 runs and 29 stolen bases, and Perez’s line is .235/.274/.438 with 23 homers, 65 RBIs and 44 runs.
The Orioles have lost 38.6 units and are 35-55 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 40 of those games, compared to 46 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Royals have lost 25.3 units and are 42-50 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 44 of those games, compared to 41 which went under the total.
Baltimore Orioles vs. Kansas City Royals Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Royals, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- Baltimore has tallied 17 extra-base hits over its last five outings. Kansas City has 24 XBH over its last five.
- The Royals have won six of their last seven games SU.
- Kansas City has recorded 24.7 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 28.8 over its last five.
- The Orioles have hit 11 home runs in their last 10 games, including eight over their last five.
