The Oakland Athletics will take on the Kansas City Royals at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. This AL matchup will begin at 2:15 p.m. ET and NBC Sports – California will televise the game.
Oakland Athletics at Kansas City Royals Odds
Kansas City (+120) is the home-team underdog against Oakland (-130) and Vegas has the Over/Under for this day game at 9.5 runs. Odds for wagering on the games total stand at +100 for the over and -120 for the under. The games current runline odds sit at +115 for taking the Athletics -1.5 runs and -135 for the Royals +1.5.
The Athletics are 30-28 SU and have gone 27-30 against the spread (ATS). They’ve accumulated 2.6 units for moneyline gamblers, despite having lost 4.8 units ATS. The Royals, on the other hand, are 20-37 SU and 27-29 ATS. They’ve lost 9.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 6.7 units ATS.
Kansas City games have had an over/under record of 22-31-3 so far in 2018. The Athletics have an over/under record of 26-28-3.
Right-hander Trevor Cahill is projected to start for Oakland. Cahill is 1-2 with a 2.25 ERA and 41 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 Jason Hammel (2-5, 5.23 ERA), who has 43 strikeouts and 18 walks as well as a WHIP of 1.42. Hammel made two starts against the team in 2017, putting together a 0-1 record in 2017, putting together a 0-1 record with a 6.75 ERA.
As a unit, Kansas City’s pitching staff has yielded 5.7 runs per game overall this season. The clubs starters have a 5.42 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 7.5 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 5.50 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 7.1 K/9.
Kansas City’s hitters have put up 4.0 runs per contest, including 4.8 per game over its last 10 games and 4.6 per game over their last five. The teams hit .284/.335/.464 over its last five matchups and is 3-2 SU during that stretch.
Outfielder Jon Jay and second baseman Whit Merrifield have led the Royals offense this year. Jay is hitting .302/.359/.356 with 67 hits, 15 RBIs and 25 runs scored, and Merrifield’s line is .296/.373/.427 with four homers, 22 RBIs, 27 runs and 12 stolen bases.
In the other dugout, Oakland’s pitching staff allowed 4.3 runs per game and its starters own a 4.14 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 6.87 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.52, along with a WHIP of 1.17.
Athletics hitters have slashed .240/.313/.412 on their way to 4.5 runs scored per game this season, including 3.6 runs per game over the teams last 10 games and 5.2 per game over the teams last five contests (2-3 SU).
Oakland’s offense has been powered by second baseman Jed Lowrie and shortstop Marcus Semien, who collectively have launched 14 home runs. Lowrie is slashing .295/.363/.487 with nine home runs, 40 RBIs and 22 runs scored, while Semien (.268/.320/.383) is up to five homers, 24 RBIs and 35 runs scored.
The Athletics have gained 5.2 units and are 17-20 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has cashed in 19 of those games, as opposed to 17 that’ve hit the under against righties. On the other hand, the Royals have lost 13.3 units and are 15-21 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The overs hit in 14 of those games, as opposed to 19 which went under the total.
Oakland Athletics at Kansas City Royals MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Athletics, ATS Winner – Athletics, O/U – UNDER
Betting Notes
- The under has hit in three of Kansas City’s last seven games.
- Oakland fielders have eight errors over the last 10 games, compared to two errors for Kansas City over its last 10.
- Both teams have hit 12 home runs over their last 10 outings.
