The Kansas City Royals will play host to the Oakland Athletics at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. The opening pitch is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET and Fox Sports Kansas City is in line to televise this AL showdown.
Oakland Athletics at Kansas City Royals Odds
Kansas City (+150) is heading into this one as an underdog to Oakland (-160) and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under for this night game at 9.5 runs. The odds for wagering on the game’s total now sit at +100 for the over and -120 for the under. Runline odds stand at -110 for taking the Athletics -1.5 runs and -110 for the Royals +1.5 runs.
The Royals are 46-86 straight up (SU) and 60-71 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 23.4 units for moneyline bettors and 24.1 units ATS. Kansas City has covered the spread only twice in its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven. On the other hand, the Athletics are 75-55 SU and have gone 70-59 against the spread. Overall, the team’s accumulated 15.0 units for moneyline gamblers and 10.3 units ATS. Oakland has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the under has hit in four of those seven.
Royals games have a 60-63-8 over/under record in 2019. The Athletics have been a decent under bet with a total record of 59-66-4.
Mike Fiers is getting the nod for the visiting Athletics. The right-handed Fiers is 12-3 with a 3.46 ERA and 106 strikeouts. This will be his first outing against Kansas City this year. He made two starts against the team in 2018, putting together a 1-0 record with a 6.75 ERA.
The Royals are putting the ball in the hands of lefty Mike Montgomery (3-6, 4.99 ERA), who has 48 punchouts and 21 walks, along with a 1.60 WHIP. Montgomery did not record a start against the Athletics in 2018.
As a unit, Kansas City’s pitchers have given up 5.3 runs per game overall this year. Its starting pitching staff has an ERA of 5.15, a WHIP of 1.42 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.4. The bullpen has a 5.08 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 8.5 K/9.
Kansas City’s offense is putting up 4.2 runs per contest, including 3.3 per game over its last 10 games and 3.4 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .224/.289/.356 over its last five matchups and is 1-4 SU during that span.
The Royals’ offense has been led by second baseman Whit Merrifield and left fielder Alex Gordon. Merrifield is hitting .297/.348/.470 with 15 home runs, 66 RBIs, 86 runs and 17 stolen bases, and Gordon is batting .259 with 12 homers, 63 RBIs and 67 runs.
In the other dugout, Oakland’s pitching staff allowed 4.3 runs per game and its starters own a 4.02 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 6.90 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 4.12, along with a WHIP of 1.24.
The Athletics offense has slashed .249/.326/.447 on its way to 5.1 runs scored per game this season, including 6.4 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 7.8 per game over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).
Shortstop Marcus Semien and third baseman Matt Chapman continue to lead Oakland’s hitters. Semien is slashing .273/.358/.490 with 23 home runs, 69 RBIs and 94 runs scored, while Chapman is hitting .259/.344/.529 with 30 homers, 74 RBIs and 84 runs scored.
The Athletics have gained 10.6 units and are 20-13 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has cashed in 17 of those games, compared to 14 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Royals have lost 19.2 units and are 43-53 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over’s cashed in 45 of those games, compared to 47 that’ve gone under.
Athletics at Royals Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Athletics, ATS Winner – Athletics, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- Oakland has recorded 23 extra-base hits over its last five outings. Kansas City has 12 XBH over its last five.
- The Athletics have hit 20 home runs in their last 10 games. The Royals have hit seven over their last 10.
- The Athletics have a total OPS of .773 this season and an OPS of .817 against left-handed pitchers. The Royals’ OPS sits at .703 overall and .690 against southpaws.
- Kansas City has recorded 17.1 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 19.0 over its last five.
