Jake Odorizzi (6-6, 3.02 ERA) and Kris Medlen (2-0, 3.10 ERA) are on the hill in the second of a three-game series between the Tampa Bay Rays (63-64) and the Kansas City Royals (78-49) at Tropicana Field. The Royals won the last game 3-2 and Kansas City leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 6:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 29 and can be seen on SUN and FSKC.
Odorizzi pitched 6.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering two runs, striking out four and walking one in an 8-2 defeat to the Athletics. Logan Forsythe (.278, 55 Rs, 15 HRs, 53 RBIs, 9 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday. Medlen went 6.0 innings, surrendering three runs and striking out six in an 8-3 win over the Orioles in his most recent start. Lorenzo Cain (.312, 78 Rs, 12 HRs, 56 RBIs, 24 SBs) went 1 for 2 yesterday.
Tampa Bay is a narrow -115 favorite at home against Kansas City. The matchup has an estimated Over/Under (O/U) of seven runs. The Rays have an overall money line of -409 and a record as the favorite of 30-28. Tampa Bay is a disappointing 1-3 as the favorite over its last 10 games.
In games where it is the underdog, Kansas City has a 32-25 record and an overall money line of +2,569. The Royals are an excellent base stealing team with 83 stolen bases, ranking fifth in the MLB. Kansas City’s pitching staff is one of the top in the AL, with a 3.57 ERA. When it comes to preventing batters from getting hits, the Royals are fifth in the AL with an average of 8.3 hits allowed per game.
The Royals lead the season series, 5-0. The Rays have a 41-50 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Medlen takes the mound. Odorizzi (RHP) will be on the hill against the Royals, who have a very good 54-28 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – TB, O/U – Under
Notes
Tampa Bay earned its 11th shutout of the season in its last game. Kansas City has been shut out nine times this season.
Having scored zero runs in their last game, the Rays are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Royals have a 6-0 record in games where opponents scored that many runs.
When they are outhit, the Royals are 12-40. The Rays have a 13-40 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 27th in home runs, Kansas City has hit 101 this season. Tampa Bay ranks 17th with 119 home runs.
Ranking 13th, Tampa Bay is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.31 per game. Kansas City ranks in the top five at second with 9.22.
Ranking 21st, Tampa Bay is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.707). Kansas City ranks in the top 10 at ninth with an OPS of .735.
The Royals are 36-34 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Rays are 30-48 when they allow at least one homer.
