The Texas Rangers are paying a visit to Kansas City to face the Royals at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. The first pitch is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET and Fox Sports Kansas City is in line to broadcast this AL matchup.
Texas Rangers at Kansas City Royals Odds
Both teams have equal -105 moneyline odds and Vegas has set the Over/Under for this one at 9.5 runs (-120 for the over and +100 for the under). Runline odds stand at +140 for taking the Rangers -1.5 runs and -160 for the Royals +1.5.
The Rangers have gone just 29-44 SU this year and are 32-40 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 6.3 units for moneyline bettors and 14.3 units ATS. The Royals, on the other hand, are 22-49 SU and 32-38 ATS. They’ve lost 18.9 units for moneyline bettors and 13.4 units ATS.
Royals games have a 27-39-4 over/under record so far in 2018. The Rangers have an over/under record of 33-34-5.
Right-hander Bartolo Colon is projected to start for the visiting Rangers. Colon (3-4, 4.94 ERA) has racked up 48 strikeouts in 74.2 innings so far. He’s 0-0 with four strikeouts and a 3.86 ERA against Kansas City this year.
The Royals are turning to righty Ian Kennedy (1-6, 5.13 ERA), who has 67 strikeouts and 28 walks to his name as well as a WHIP of 1.55. Kennedy is 0-0 with four strikeouts and a 3.60 ERA in one start against Texas this year.
Texas pitchers have allowed 5.4 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 5.64 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 6.87 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.81, along with a K-per-9 of 8.25.
Rangers hitters have slashed .231/.317/.391 on their way to 4.3 runs scored per game in 2018, including 5.3 runs per game over the teams last 10 games and 6.0 per game over the teams last five contests (2-3 SU).
Shin-soo Choo and Nomar Mazara have paced Texas offense. Choo is hitting .274/.384/.459 with 12 home runs, 31 RBIs and 42 runs scored, while Mazara (.263/.333/.485) has produced 14 homers, 45 RBIs and 39 runs scored.
In the home-team dugout, Kansas City’s pitchers have given up 5.6 runs per game overall this season. The clubs starters have a 5.18 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 7.3 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 5.71 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 7.1 K/9.
The Kansas City offense has produced 3.7 runs per outing, including 2.0 per game over its last 10 games and 2.0 per game over its last five. The teams hit .163/.239/.244 over its last five contests and is 0-5 SU during that span.
Second baseman Whit Merrifield and left fielder Jon Jay have led the charge for the Royals batters this year. Merrifield is hitting .294/.371/.424 with four home runs, 23 RBIs, 31 runs and 15 stolen bases, while Jay’s line is .307/.363/.374 with 73 hits, 18 RBIs and 28 runs scored.
The Rangers have lost 4.3 units and are 21-27 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has hit in 20 of those games, as opposed to 26 that’ve gone under against righties. On the other hand, the Royals have lost 19.4 units and are 18-29 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The overs hit in 18 of those games, as opposed to 25 that’ve cashed the under.
Texas Rangers at Kansas City Royals Free MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Royals, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – UNDER
Betting Notes
- The under has cashed in four of Kansas City’s last seven games.
- The Royals have lost 12 of their last 13 games SU.
- Kansas City has posted 13.2 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 12.4 over its last five.
- The Rangers have hit nine home runs in their last 10 games. The Royals have hit six over their last 10.
