The Kansas City Royals are ready to face the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. The game gets underway 7:05 p.m. ET and Fox Sports Kansas City will broadcast this interleague matchup.
Kansas City Royals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Odds
Oddsmakers have listed Kansas City (+182) as the underdog to Pittsburgh (-195). The total is sitting at 7.5 runs and bettors can take the over for even money (+100) or the under for -120. You can also bet on the game’s spread with the runline odds standing at -120 for the Royals +1.5 runs and +100 for the Pirates -1.5.
The Pirates are 75-74 straight up (SU) and 73-75 against the spread (ATS). The team’s gained 1.1 units for moneyline bettors while gaining 9.9 units (ATS). The Royals are 52-98 SU and have gone 73-76 ATS. Overall, the team’s lost 24.8 units for moneyline gamblers and 12.0 units ATS.
Pittsburgh games have a 65-73-10 over/under record in 2018. Kansas City has also been a decent under bet with a total record of 65-73-11.
Southpaw Eric Skoglund will get the start for the visiting Royals. Skoglund (1-5, 6.19 ERA) has racked up 43 strikeouts in 56.2 innings so far. He has yet to face the Pirates this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Pirates will send righty Jameson Taillon (13-9, 3.37 ERA) to the mound. Taillon has 156 strikeouts and 42 walks to his name, as well as a WHIP of 1.20. Taillon did not record a start against the Royals in 2017.
Kansas City’s pitching staff allowed 5.2 runs per game and its starters own a 5.02 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 7.35 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 5.10, along with a WHIP of 1.43.
Royals hitters have slashed .246/.309/.390 on their way to 3.9 runs scored per game in 2018, including 5.3 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 7.2 per game over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
Kansas City’s offensive production has been fueled by second baseman Whit Merrifield and right fielder Alex Gordon. The speedy Merrifield is slashing .301/.365/.434 with 12 home runs, 57 RBIs, 82 runs and 36 steals, while Gordon (.245/.328/.365) is up to 11 homers, 49 RBIs and 53 runs scored.
For the home team, Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has given up 4.3 runs per game overall in 2018. The team’s starting pitching staff has an ERA of 4.03, a WHIP of 1.26 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.5. The bullpen has a 4.10 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 9.6 K/9.
Pittsburgh’s hitters are putting up 4.3 runs per outing, including 4.6 per game over its last 10 games and 4.2 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .259/.339/.355 over its last five matchups and is 4-1 SU during that stretch.
Outfielders Starling Marte and Corey Dickerson have paced the Pirates’ hitters this year. Marte is hitting .273/.317/.452 with 19 home runs, 67 RBIs, 75 runs and 32 steals, and Dickerson’s line is .292/.323/.453 with 11 homers, 51 RBIs and 60 runs.
Kansas City Royals at Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Pirates, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – OVER
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Betting Trends
Kansas City has recorded 25 extra-base hits over its last five outings. Pittsburgh has 12 XBH over its last five.
Kansas City has posted 23.9 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 30.4 over its last five.
The Royals have hit nine home runs in their last 10 games, including six over their last five.
*****
