Johnny Cueto (9-8, 2.70 ERA) and the Kansas City Royals (77-48) take on Wei-Yin Chen (7-6, 3.13 ERA) and the Baltimore Orioles (62-63) in a game that has the potential to be low scoring. This is the third of a four-game series at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. The Orioles lost the last game 3-2, continuing a six-game losing streak. Action begins at 8:10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Aug. 26 and can be seen on FSKC and MAS2.
Cueto pitched 6.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering six runs (one unearned) and striking out three in a 7-2 defeat to the Red Sox. Lorenzo Cain (.310, 78 Rs, 12 HRs, 56 RBIs, 24 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run. Chen went 6.0 innings, surrendering one run, striking out three and walking two in a 4-3 defeat to the Twins in his most recent start.
Kansas City is a -171 favorite against Baltimore and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at seven runs. The Royals have recorded an overall money line of +2,510 and have shown high-level performance as a favorite this season with a record of 44-23. Kansas City is an impressive 6-1 as the favorite over its last 10 games. Kansas City is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping 83 bases. Opposing batters know they’re in for a battle when they play Kansas City. The Royals are one of the top teams when it comes to pitching, allowing just 3.4 runs per home game. The Royals are the fifth-best team in the AL at limiting walks during home games, allowing only 2.6 walks per game to their opponents this season.
In games where it is the underdog, Baltimore has a 22-31 record and an overall money line of -539. They have been on a bit of a dry streak over their last 10 games. They managed a 0-1 record when playing as the underdog. The Orioles can change the game with one swing of the bat, ranking fourth in the league with 162 home runs.
The Royals have the edge in the season series, 2-0. The Royals have a 24-20 record against left-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Chen takes the mound. Cueto (RHP) will be on the hill against the Orioles, who have a 45-50 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – KC, O/U – Over
Notes
Baltimore has won 57% (24-18) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Kansas City has won 66% (31-16) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Orioles managed to give up six walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Royals who are heading in with a 3-1 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Orioles are 10-44. The Royals have a 12-39 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 27th in home runs, Kansas City has hit 99 this season. Baltimore ranks fourth with 162 home runs.
Ranking eighth, Baltimore is in the top 10 of the league in hits, notching 8.62 per game. Kansas City ranks in the top five at third with 9.21.
Kansas City and Baltimore both rank in the top 10 of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Kansas City sits at 10th with an OPS of .732 and Baltimore ranks ninth with an OPS of .732.
The Orioles are 35-44 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Royals are 35-33 when they allow at least one homer.
