The Baltimore Orioles will head west to Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium to face the Kansas City Royals. Fox Sports Kansas City is in line to broadcast this AL matchup and the game gets going at 8:15 p.m. ET.
Baltimore Orioles vs. Kansas City Royals Odds
Vegas has listed Baltimore (+120) as the underdog to Kansas City (-130). The total sits at nine runs and bettors can wager on the over for -130 and the under for +110. Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the most recent odds coming in at Orioles +1.5 runs (-175) and Royals -1.5 runs (+155).
The Royals are 42-91 straight up (SU) and 64-69 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 30.7 units for moneyline bettors and 14.3 units (ATS). Kansas City has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in three of those seven. The Orioles have gone 40-94 SU this year and are 56-78 ATS. Overall, the team’s lost 45.4 units for gamblers taking the moneyline and 32.2 units ATS. Baltimore is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the over has cashed in four of those seven.
Royals games have an over/under record of 57-66-10 in 2018. Baltimore has also been a good under bet with a total record of 58-71-5.
Andrew Cashner will get the nod for Baltimore. The right-handed Cashner is 4-12 with a 4.79 ERA and 97 strikeouts. He’s 0-0 with three strikeouts and a 4.50 ERA against Kansas City this year.
The Royals will turn to righty Brad Keller (6-5, 3.33 ERA), who has 72 strikeouts and 41 walks as well as a 1.35 WHIP. Keller hasn’t faced the Orioles yet this year and did not record any MLB pitching stats last season.
Kansas City’s pitchers have given up 5.4 runs per game overall in 2018 as a unit. Its starters have an ERA of 5.22, a WHIP of 1.47 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.4. The bullpen has a 5.19 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 7.3 K/9.
The Kansas City hitters have put up 3.7 runs per outing, including 4.5 per game over its last 10 games and 6.4 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .313/.364/.601 over its last five matchups and is 4-1 SU during that span.
The Royals’ batters have been led by second baseman Whit Merrifield and catcher Salvador Perez. Merrifield is slashing .307/.373/.439 with 10 home runs, 47 RBIs, 64 runs and 28 stolen bases, and Perez’s line is .235/.274/.438 with 23 homers, 65 RBIs and 44 runs.
For the visiting squad, Baltimore’s pitching staff allowed 5.4 runs per game and its starters own a 5.40 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 7.15 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.71, along with a K/9 of 8.17.
Orioles hitters have slashed .239/.302/.397 on their way to 3.9 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.6 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 6.6 per game over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).
Baltimore’s offensive production has been fueled by right fielder Adam Jones and shortstop Manny Machado, who have combined to drive in 120 runs. Jones is slashing .285/.318/.432 with 14 home runs, 55 RBIs and 50 runs scored, while Machado (.315/.387/.575) is up to 24 homers, 65 RBIs and 48 runs scored.
The Orioles have lost 37.6 units and are 35-54 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has hit in 39 of those games, as opposed to 46 that’ve gone under against righties. On the other hand, the Royals have lost 26.3 units and are 41-50 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 43 of those games, as opposed to 41 that’ve gone under.
Baltimore Orioles vs. Kansas City Royals MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Royals, ATS Winner – Orioles, O/U – OVER
