The Tampa Bay Rays will face off against the Kansas City Royals in a Thursday showdown. This AL matchup will get going at 2:15 p.m. ET and fans can tune in to Fox Sports Kansas City to catch the game.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Kansas City Royals Odds
Kansas City (+150) is the home-team underdog to Tampa Bay (-160) and Vegas has the Over/Under for this one at 8.5 runs. The odds for betting on the game’s total currently stand at -105 for the over and -115 for the under. Runline odds sit at -110 for taking the Rays -1.5 runs and -110 for the Royals +1.5.
The Rays are 19-11 SU and are 19-9 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 5.9 units for moneyline bettors in this young season and 9.9 units ATS. The Royals, on the other hand, are 11-20 SU and 14-15 ATS. The team’s lost 9.0 units for moneyline bettors and 4.8 units ATS.
Royals games have an over/under record of 18-10-1 so far in 2019. Tampa Bay has an over/under record of 12-15-1.
Charlie Morton will get the start for the visiting Rays. The right-handed Morton (3-0, 2.76 ERA) has racked up 39 strikeouts in 32.2 innings so far. He has yet to face the Royals this year and only made one start against them in 2018 (1-0, 4.50 ERA and nine strikeouts across six innings).
The Royals are turning to Danny Duffy (0-1, 5.40 ERA). Duffy has one strikeouts and three walks, along with a WHIP of 1.60. Duffy only made one start against the Rays in 2018 (0-0, 3.60 ERA and seven strikeouts across five innings).
Kansas City’s pitchers have allowed 5.2 runs per game overall this season as a unit. The club’s starters have an ERA of 5.13, a WHIP of 1.38 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.4. The bullpen has a 5.23 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 8.5 K/9.
The Kansas City offense has produced 4.6 runs per contest, including 5.0 per game over its last 10 games and 5.6 per game over its last five. The team has slashed .252/.330/.399 over its last five matchups and is 3-2 SU during that span.
The Royals’ batters have been led by second baseman Whit Merrifield and shortstop Adalberto Mondesi. Merrifield is hitting .291/.345/.488 with four home runs, 12 RBIs, 25 runs and six stolen bases, while Mondesi’s line is .295/.323/.533 with four homers, 27 RBIs, 18 runs and 10 steals.
In the visiting dugout, Tampa Bay’s pitching staff allowed 3.3 runs per game and its starters own a 2.67 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 9.91 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.59, along with a WHIP of 0.99.
Rays hitters have slashed .254/.335/.438 on their way to 4.6 runs scored per game this season, including 4.0 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 3.8 per game over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).
Tampa Bay’s hitters have been paced by left fielder Tommy Pham and second baseman Brandon Lowe, who collectively have belted 10 home runs. Pham is hitting .291/.406/.445 with four home runs, 12 RBIs, 14 runs and six stolen bases, while Lowe (.296/.352/.561) is up to six homers, 17 RBIs and 17 runs scored.
The Rays have gained 4.3 units and are 6-2 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has hit in one of those games, compared to seven that’ve hit the under in such games. On the other hand, the Royals have lost 6.0 units and are 10-11 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 14 of those games, compared to seven which went under the total.
Rays vs. Royals Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Rays, ATS Winner – Rays, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The under has hit in four of Tampa Bay’s last seven games.
- The Rays have a total OPS of .773 this season, including an OPS of .723 against left-handed pitchers. The Royals’ OPS sits at .744 overall and .663 against lefties.
- Kansas City has recorded 21.4 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 22.0 over its last five.
- The Rays have hit 10 home runs in their last 10 games. The Royals have hit 11 over their last 10.
