Rangers vs. Royals Pick
Will the Kansas City Royals open the second half of the season with a win at home over the Texas Rangers tonight at 8:15PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, Kansas City is the slight favorite at home, as the Royals are getting odds of -115 to win. The Rangers are listed with +105 odds, while the over/under total for the game has been set at 9.5 runs. The Rangers have won all three meetings with KC this season in Texas. Texas has actually won their last 10 against Kansas City.
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The pitching matchup today has Martin Perez (4-6, 4.60 ERA) on the mound for the Rangers to face Jason Hammel (4-8, 5.04) of the Royals. Perez comes into the break struggling. He has allowed at least four runs in his last three starts. Perez has given up 45 earned runs this year over 88 innings. He has 64 strikeouts with 36 walks and a 1.67 WHIP. Hammel has given up 53 earned runs this season over 94.2 innings of work. He has 77 strikeouts with 32 walks and a 1.50 WHIP.
The Royals are coming off being swept by the Dodgers in L.A. before the break. Kansas City enters this series 44-43 overall and 24-19 at home. The Royals are putting up just 4.16 runs per game while allowing 4.45 per contest. Kansas City is being led by Mike Moustakas, who has 25 home runs with 54 RBI. Salvador Perez is adding 18 home runs and 57 RBI.
Texas won three of its last four games prior to the All-Star Break. The Rangers are now 43-45 overall and 18-25 on the road. The Rangers are scoring 5.05 runs per game this season while allowing 4.72. The Rangers are being led by Elvis Andrus, who has 21 doubles, 11 home runs and 50 RBI. Nomar Mazara is adding 17 doubles, 12 home runs and 56 RBI.
Both teams are nearly on equal footing, but the Rangers have dominated this series. Texas is putting up more runs per game and the Rangers seem to have the better starting pitcher tonight as well. I think this all spells a slim upset win for Texas. The Rangers come into the break with a little more momentum as well. I think Texas still is a team that can make a run and beating the Royals could be the start they need.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: SEATTLE MARINERS -165