Elvis Andrus and the Texas Rangers will be taking on the Kansas City Royals at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium in a Thursday showdown. This AL matchup will begin at 1:15 p.m. ET and fans can tune in to Fox Sports Kansas City to catch the action.
Texas Rangers vs. Kansas City Royals Odds
Bookmakers have Kansas City (+100) as the underdog to Texas (-110). You can play game’s total with current odds posted at -125 for over 9.5 runs and +105 for under 9.5. This game currently has a runline of Rangers -1.5 (+135) and Royals +1.5 (-155).
The Rangers have gone 18-22 SU this year and are 21-18 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 0.5 units for moneyline gamblers through the early portions of the year, despite having lost 1.4 units ATS. Texas has covered the spread just twice over its last seven games and the total has gone over in five of those seven. The Royals, on the other hand, are 15-28 SU and 21-21 ATS. The team has lost 7.3 units for moneyline bettors and 4.3 units ATS. Kansas City has a 3-4 ATS mark over its last seven outings and the under has hit in three of those seven.
Kansas City games have had an over/under record of 23-17-2 so far in 2019. The Rangers have also been a decent over bet with a total record of 24-14-1.
The right-handed Lance Lynn is getting the start for the visiting Rangers. Lynn is 4-3 with a 5.48 ERA and 44 strikeouts. This will be his first outing against Kansas City this year. He did make three starts against the Royals in 2018, compiling a 2-1 record against them with a 4.50 ERA and 17 strikeouts.
The Royals will turn to righty Homer Bailey (4-3, 4.83 ERA), who has 38 strikeouts and 16 walks as well as a 1.32 WHIP. Bailey did not record a start against the Rangers in 2018.
Texas’ pitchers have allowed 5.7 runs per game and its starters own a 5.86 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and 8.00 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 4.93, along with a WHIP of 1.62 and a K-per-9 of 7.28.
The Rangers offense has slashed .248/.333/.451 on its way to 5.6 runs scored per game this year, including 5.3 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 4.0 per game over the team’s last five outings (1-4 SU).
Texas’ hitters have been paced by Elvis Andrus and Shin-soo Choo. Andrus is slashing .325/.373/.510 with six home runs, 26 RBIs, 25 runs and eight stolen bases, while Choo (.288/.392/.493) is up to five homers, 15 RBIs and 27 runs scored.
In the other dugout, Kansas City’s pitching staff has allowed 5.0 runs per game overall this year. The team’s starters have an ERA of 5.31, a WHIP of 1.45 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.6. The bullpen has a 4.59 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 8.7 K/9.
The Kansas City offense is putting up 4.6 runs per contest, including 5.1 per game over its last 10 games and 3.6 per game over its last five. The team has slashed .255/.330/.366 over its last five contests and is 2-3 SU during that span.
The Royals’ hitters have been led by second baseman Whit Merrifield and shortstop Adalberto Mondesi. Merrifield is slashing .288/.345/.514 with six home runs, 20 RBIs, 33 runs and seven steals, while Mondesi’s line sits at .281/.317/.497 with five homers, 35 RBIs, 24 runs and 15 stolen bases.
The Rangers have gained 2.6 units and are 15-13 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 17 of those games, compared to 11 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Royals have lost 4.2 units and are 15-16 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 18 of those games, compared to 12 which went under the total.
Rangers vs. Royals Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Royals, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The over has cashed in five of Texas’ last seven games.
- Kansas City has recorded 23.5 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 20.0 over its last five.
- The Rangers have hit 15 home runs in their last 10 games. The Royals have hit 11 over their last 10.
- The Rangers have an OPS of .783 this season and an OPS of .799 against right-handed pitchers. The Royals’ OPS sits at .745 overall and .772 against righties.
