The Miami Marlins are playing host to the Kansas City Royals at Marlins Park. Fox Sports Kansas City is in line to broadcast this interleague showdown and the action gets going at 7:10 p.m. ET.
Kansas City Royals at Miami Marlins Odds
Vegas is listing Kansas City (+120) as the underdog to Miami (-130). The total stands at 8.5 runs and bettors can take the over for -105 and the under for -115. Gamblers can also wager on the game’s spread with the runline odds sitting at Royals +1.5 runs (-175) and Marlins -1.5 runs (+155).
The Marlins are 69-69 against the spread (ATS), but just 50-89 straight up (SU). They’ve lost 12.7 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 10.2 units ATS. The Royals are 51-90 SU and have gone 65-75 ATS. Overall, the team’s lost 21.8 units for gamblers taking the moneyline and 23.0 units ATS.
Neither team has positioned itself as a strong over/under bet this year. Marlins games have a 64-63-11 over/under record in 2019. Kansas City has an over/under record of 67-65-8.
Jorge Lopez will get the start for the Royals. The right-handed Lopez (2-7, 6.61 ERA) has racked up 95 strikeouts in 98 innings so far. He has yet to face the Marlins this year and did not record a start against them in 2018, either.
The Marlins are turning to righty Pablo Lopez (5-7, 4.89 ERA), who has 77 punchouts and 19 walks, in addition to a WHIP of 1.16. Lopez did not register a start against the Royals in 2018.
Miami’s pitching staff has allowed 5.0 runs per game overall in 2019 as a unit. Its starting pitching staff has a 4.62 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 8.3 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 5.02 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 9.3 K/9.
The Miami hitters have put up 3.8 runs per outing, including 4.1 per game over its last 10 games and 4.6 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .227/.304/.390 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that stretch.
The Marlins’ batters have been led by second baseman Starlin Castro and third baseman Brian Anderson. Castro is slashing .273/.299/.421 with 17 home runs, 74 RBIs and 54 runs scored, while Anderson is batting .261 with 20 homers, 66 RBIs and 57 runs.
In the visiting dugout, Kansas City’s pitching staff allowed 5.3 runs per game and its starters own a 5.22 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 7.31 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 5.03, along with a WHIP of 1.43 and a K/9 of 8.52.
Royals hitters have slashed .245/.310/.399 on their way to 4.3 runs scored per game in 2019, including 4.9 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 5.6 per game over the team’s last five contests (4-1 SU).
Second baseman Whit Merrifield and outfielder Alex Gordon continue to lead Kansas City’s offense. Merrifield is slashing .306/.354/.476 with 16 home runs, 71 RBIs, 93 runs and 18 stolen bases, while Gordon is slashing .264/.340/.401 with 12 homers, 67 RBIs and 70 runs scored.
Royals vs. Marlins Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Marlins, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- Kansas City has recorded 14 extra-base hits over its last five games. Miami has 16 XBH over its last five.
- The Royals have hit 11 home runs in their last 10 games, including six over their last five.
- The Royals have an OPS of .709 this season and an OPS of .716 when facing right-handed pitchers. The Marlins’ OPS sits at .670 overall and .655 versus righties.
- Kansas City has recorded 24.5 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 26.4 over its last five.
