Kansas City Royals vs. Boston Red Sox Free Preview 05/02/18

The Kansas City Royals are ready to face the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. New England Sports Network will be airing this AL showdown and the game gets underway at 1:05 p.m. ET.

Kansas City Royals at Boston Red Sox Odds

Oddsmakers have listed Boston (-185) as the favorite over Kansas City (+175). The total sits at 9 runs and gamblers can take the over for -115 or the under for -105. The game’s most recent runline odds sit at -125 for betting the Royals +1.5 runs and +105 for the Red Sox -1.5.

The Red Sox are 21-8 SU and 14-14 ATS. The team has gained 11.4 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 0.3 units against the spread (ATS). Boston has covered the spread only twice in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven. The Royals, on the other hand, have gone 8-21 SU this year and are 10-18 ATS. Overall, the team’s lost 13.6 units for moneyline gamblers in this young season and 12.3 units ATS. Kansas City’s covered the spread only once in its last seven games and the under has cashed in four of those seven.

Boston games have a 15-12-1 over/under record so far in 2018. Kansas City has been a decent under bet with a total record of 10-16-2.

Danny Duffy will get the nod for the visiting Royals. The southpaw Duffy is 0-3 with a 5.40 ERA and 28 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Red Sox this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.

The Red Sox are handing the ball to lefty Drew Pomeranz (0-1, 7.27 ERA), who has 11 strikeouts and four walks to his name, as well as a 1.73 WHIP. Pomeranz made two starts against the team in 2017, posting a 0-0 record in 2017, posting a 0-0 record with a 2.08 ERA and nine strikeouts.

Kansas City’s pitchers have allowed 5.7 runs per game and its starters own a 4.66 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 7.01 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 6.33, along with a K-per-9 of 6.33.

Royals hitters have slashed .247/.319/.371 on their way to 3.5 runs scored per game this season, including 4.2 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 4.6 per game over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).

Kansas City’s offense has been powered by third baseman Mike Moustakas and right fielder Jorge Soler. Moustakas is slashing .299/.333/.573 with eight home runs, 19 RBIs and 18 runs scored, while Soler (.306/.434/.494) is up to three homers, nine RBIs and nine runs scored.

Soler had some trouble hitting on the road in 2017. Over 57 plate appearances, he put up a slash line of .80/.193/.120 (his total season line was .144/.245/.258).

In the other dugout, Boston’s pitching staff has allowed 3.6 runs per game overall in 2018. The club’s starters have a 3.17 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 9.3 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 3.71 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 9.4 K/9.

Boston’s offense has put up 5.7 runs per contest, including 4.2 per game over its last 10 games and 5.8 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .274/.330/.426 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that span.

The Red Sox offense has been led by Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez. Betts is hitting .337/.431/.717 with eight home runs, 18 RBIs and 29 runs scored, and Martinez’s line sits at .337/.388/.567 with five homers, 22 RBIs and 17 runs.

Compared to his overall season slash line of .264/.344/.459, Betts performed well against left-handed pitching at home last season, slashing .358/.421/.567 over 76 such plate appearances.

The Royals have lost 0.4 units and are 4-7 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has cashed in five of those games, as opposed to six that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Red Sox have lost 2.2 units and are 2-3 ATS when facing a lefty starter. The over has cashed in one of those games, compared to four that’ve gone under.

Kansas City Royals at Boston Red Sox Free MLB Pick

Predictions: SU Winner – Red Sox, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – OVER