The Kansas City Royals are squaring off against the Oakland Athletics at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. NBC Sports – California will broadcast this AL showdown and the game gets underway at 2:15 p.m. ET.
Oakland Athletics vs. Kansas City Royals Odds
Oakland (-110) is coming into this one as the favorite over Kansas City (+100) and Vegas has put the Over/Under for this game at 9.5 runs (+105 for the under and -125 for the over). Bettors can also wager on the games spread with the most recent runline odds sitting at +135 for the Athletics -1.5 runs and -155 for the Royals +1.5.
The Royals are 21-37 SU and 27-30 ATS. The team has lost 10.8 units for moneyline bettors and 8.1 units against the spread (ATS). Kansas City has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total went over in four of those seven. The Athletics, on the other hand, have gone 30-29 SU this year and are 28-30 ATS. Overall, the teams accumulated 3.6 units for gamblers taking the moneyline, but have lost 3.6 units ATS. Oaklandhas covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven.
Royals games have an over/under record of 23-31-3 so far in 2018. The Athletics have an over/under record of 27-28-3.
The right-handed Daniel Gossett will get the nod for Oakland. Gossett is 0-3 with a 6.05 ERA and 11 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Royals this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Royals are turning to righty Jakob Junis (5-4, 3.61 ERA), who has 62 strikeouts and 17 walks as well as a WHIP of 1.14. Junis only made one start against the Athletics in 2017 (1-0, 2.57 ERA and two strikeouts across seven innings).
As a unit, Kansas City’s pitching staff has given up 5.7 runs per game overall in 2018. The clubs starters have a 5.40 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 7.4 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 5.46 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 7.0 K/9.
Kansas City’s hitters have produced 4.1 runs per outing, including 4.8 per game over its last 10 games and 4.6 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .286/.345/.481 over its last five matchups and is 3-2 SU during that stretch.
Left fielder Jon Jay and second baseman Whit Merrifield have led the charge for the Royals batters this year. Jay is hitting .305/.361/.363 with 69 hits, 16 RBIs and 26 runs scored, and Merrifield is batting .296 with four homers, 22 RBIs, 28 runs and 12 steals.
In the other dugout, Oakland’s pitchers have allowed 4.3 runs per game and its starters own a 4.19 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 6.94 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.51, along with a K/9 of 8.30.
The Athletics offense has slashed .240/.313/.412 on its way to 4.5 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.0 runs per game over the teams last 10 games and 6.0 per game over the teams last five outings (2-3 SU).
Second baseman Jed Lowrie and shortstop Marcus Semien have paced Oakland’s offense. Lowrie is slashing .297/.363/.485 with nine home runs, 41 RBIs and 22 runs scored, while Semien is slashing .267/.318/.383 with five homers, 24 RBIs and 36 runs scored.
The Athletics have gained 6.2 units and are 18-20 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has cashed in 20 of those games, as opposed to 17 that’ve hit the under in such games. On the other hand, the Royals have lost 14.3 units and are 15-22 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The overs hit in 15 of those games, compared to 19 that’ve gone under.
Oakland Athletics vs. Kansas City Royals MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Royals, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The Athletics have hit 13 home runs in their last 10 games, including eight over their last five.
- Kansas City has recorded 24.4 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 26.2 over its last five.
- The Royals have won three of their last four games SU.
