The Cincinnati Reds are trying to avoid losing their fourth in a row as they play host to the Kansas City Royals at Great American Ball Park. Fox Sports Kansas City will be showing this interleague showdown and the first pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET.
Kansas City Royals vs. Cincinnati Reds Odds
Cincinnati (-160) is favored against Kansas City (+150) and Vegas has set the Over/Under for this night game at 8.5 runs. The odds for betting on the game’s total stand at +100 for the under and -120 for the over. The game’s most recent runline odds sit at -145 for betting the Royals +1.5 runs and +125 for the Reds -1.5.
The Reds are 88-69 against the spread (ATS), but only 66-91 straight up (SU). They’ve lost 11.5 units for moneyline bettors while earning 4.9 units (ATS). Cincinnati has covered the spread only twice in its last seven games and the total has gone under in all seven of them. The Royals have gone 54-102 SU this year and are 79-77 ATS. Overall, the team’s lost 27.7 units for moneyline gamblers and 7.6 units ATS. Kansas City’s covered the spread six times in its last seven games and the under has cashed in four of those seven.
Cincinnati games have a 76-76-5 over/under record in 2018. The Royals have been a decent under bet with a total record of 68-77-11.
The southpaw Eric Skoglund will get the nod for the visiting Royals. Skoglund is 1-5 with a 5.60 ERA and 45 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Reds this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Reds are putting the ball in the right hand of Matt Harvey (7-9, 4.92 ERA), who has 125 punchouts and 37 walks this season as well as a 1.31 WHIP. Harvey did not record a start against the Royals in 2017.
As a unit, Cincinnati’s pitching staff has allowed 5.1 runs per game overall this year. The team’s starting pitching staff has a 5.05 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 7.8 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 4.15 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 7.9 K/9.
Cincinnati’s offense has produced 4.3 runs per outing, including 1.2 per game over its last 10 games and 1.0 per game over its last five. The team has slashed .147/.213/.205 over its last five games and is 1-4 SU during that stretch.
Second baseman Scooter Gennett and shortstop Jose Peraza have led the charge for the Reds’ offense this year. Gennett is hitting .315/.363/.496 with 23 home runs, 92 RBIs and 85 runs scored, and Peraza is hitting .290 with 13 homers, 56 RBIs, 84 runs and 23 steals.
For the visitors, Kansas City’s pitchers have allowed 5.2 runs per game and its starters own a 4.97 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 7.27 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 5.04, along with a WHIP of 1.42.
The Royals offense has slashed .245/.308/.392 on its way to 3.9 runs scored per game in 2018, including 5.1 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 4.0 per game over the team’s last five contests (2-3 SU).
Kansas City’s offense has been fueled by second baseman Whit Merrifield and right fielder Alex Gordon. The speedy Merrifield is slashing .304/.368/.442 with 12 home runs, 58 RBIs, 86 runs and 38 steals. Gordon (.246/.327/.370) is up to 12 homers, 51 RBIs and 54 runs scored.
The Royals have lost 23.4 units and are 53-55 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 51 of those games, compared to 49 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Reds have netted 3.0 units and are 29-18 ATS when facing a lefty starter. The over has hit in 23 of those games, compared to 23 that’ve gone under.
Kansas City Royals vs. Cincinnati Reds Free Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Reds, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Notes
The under has cashed in four of Kansas City’s last seven games.
The Royals have hit 12 home runs in their last 10 games, including eight over their last five.
Kansas City has averaged 24.9 runs + hits + errors over its last 10 outings and 21.2 over its last five.
The Reds have lost four of their last five games SU.
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