The Kansas City Royals will square off against the Oakland Athletics at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. The opening pitch is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET and Fox Sports Kansas City will be televising this AL matchup.
Oakland Athletics vs. Kansas City Royals Odds
Oddsmakers have listed Kansas City (+140) as the underdog to Oakland (-150). The total sits at 10 runs and bettors can take the over for -105 and the under for -115. The game’s runline odds sit at -105 for picking the Athletics -1.5 runs and -115 for the Royals +1.5.
The Athletics are 74-55 SU and are 70-58 against the spread (ATS). They’ve accumulated 16.6 units for moneyline gamblers and 11.3 units ATS. Oakland’s covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the under has hit in four of those seven. The Royals, on the other hand, are 46-85 SU and 59-71 ATS. The team has lost 26.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 25.4 units ATS. Kansas City has covered the spread only once in its last seven games and the total has gone under in six of those seven.
Royals games have had an over/under record of 59-63-8 in 2019. The Athletics have been a decent under bet with a total record of 59-65-4.
Homer Bailey is getting the start for the visiting Athletics. The right-handed Bailey (11-8, 5.06 ERA) has recorded 116 punchouts in 128 innings so far. He has yet to face the Royals this year and did not record a start against them in 2018, either.
The Royals will turn to righty Brad Keller (7-13, 3.95 ERA), who has 121 strikeouts and 67 walks, along with a 1.33 WHIP. Keller only made one start against the Athletics in 2018 (0-0, 3.38 ERA and four strikeouts across 5.1 innings).
As a unit, Kansas City’s pitching staff has given up 5.2 runs per game overall this season. Its starters have a 5.10 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 7.4 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.88 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 8.5 K/9.
The Kansas City offense has produced 4.2 runs per contest, including 2.9 per game over its last 10 games and 2.8 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .204/.273/.317 over its last five matchups and is 1-4 SU during that stretch.
Second baseman Whit Merrifield and outfielder Alex Gordon have led the Royals’ batters this year. Merrifield is slashing .298/.349/.473 with 15 home runs, 65 RBIs, 86 runs and 17 steals, and Gordon is batting .261 with 12 homers, 63 RBIs and 67 runs scored.
In the other dugout, Oakland’s pitchers have allowed 4.3 runs per game and its starters own a 4.02 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 6.92 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.13, along with a K/9 of 8.90.
Athletics hitters have slashed .246/.324/.444 on their way to 5.0 runs scored per game this year, including 5.4 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 5.2 per game over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
Oakland’s offense has been powered by shortstop Marcus Semien and third baseman Matt Chapman, who’ve collectively blasted 51 home runs. Semien is hitting .272/.358/.482 with 22 home runs, 62 RBIs and 93 runs scored, while Chapman is hitting .258/.343/.522 with 29 homers, 72 RBIs and 82 runs scored.
The Athletics have gained 6.0 units and are 50-45 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 42 of those games, compared to 51 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Royals have lost 21.9 units and are 42-53 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 44 of those games, as opposed to 47 which went under the total.
Athletics at Royals Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Athletics, ATS Winner – Athletics, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- Oakland has tallied 21 extra-base hits over its last five outings. Kansas City has 10 XBH over its last five.
- The Athletics have hit 19 home runs in their last 10 games. The Royals have hit six over their last 10.
- The Athletics have a total OPS of .767 this season and an OPS of .749 against right-handed pitchers. The Royals’ OPS sits at .703 overall and .711 versus righties.
- Kansas City has posted 15.5 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 16.4 over its last five.
