The Kansas City Royals are a whopping 20 games under .500 and don’t have much to play for, even though we’ve yet to hit the halfway point of the 2018 regular season. The MLB Odds underdog Royals will look to snap their latest losing streak when they hit the road to take on an Oakland A’s team that is looking to move above .500 and stay semi-relevant in the loaded AL West.
If you’re wondering which team is offering the best MLB Betting value in the opener of a four-game set between the longtime American League counterparts, then let’s get to my expert betting pick right now.
Last but not least, Oakland is the far better statistical team, ranking 11th in scoring (4.44 rpg) and 14th in team ERA (4.00). Right-hander Paul Blackburn will make his season debut in this affair.
Kansas City (21-41) at Oakland (31-31) MLB Odds & Expert Pick
After being acquired from the #Dbacks, 18-year-old RHP Elvis Luciano enters the #Royals Top 30 Prospects list: https://t.co/RaBFSoqBWK pic.twitter.com/GkXUOZyr9U
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) 7 de junio de 2018
- When: Thursday, June 7, 2018, 10:05 PM ET
- Where: Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
- TV: NSCA, FSKC
- Radio: TuneIn
- MLB Odds: Oakland Athletics -171 / Kansas City Royals +161 (Over/Under at 8.5)
Recent Head to Head (Last 10 Games)
- Runs: Kansas City Royals 3.80 / Oakland Athletics 6.80
- Hits: Kansas City Royals 7.90 / Oakland Athletics 10.40
- Walks: Kansas City Royals 2.80 / Oakland Athletics 3.00
- Strike Outs: Kansas City Royals 7.00 / Oakland Athletics 8.00
Starting Pitchers
- Kansas City Royals: Jason Hammel – R – (2-5, 5.17 ERA)
- Oakland Athletics: Paul Blackburn – R – (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Why Consider the MLB Odds for the Royals?
Why should you consider betting on Kansas City in this series opener? There really aren’t many good reasons except the fact that the Royals are completely and utterly desperately. Kansas City has dropped four straight games and five of their last six overall. The Royals have been outscored 19-10 over their four-game losing streak but they did manage to go 4-2 over their previous six games. The Royals have given up four runs or more in three of their last four games and nine of their last 12 games overall. Kansas City ranks 26th in scoring by putting up just 3.95 runs per game while also ranking a dismal 30th in team ERA (5.41). The Royals rank 28th in home runs with just 54 on the season while also ranking 20th in quality starts with just 20. The good news is that veteran right-hander Jason Hammel has been solid in limiting the opposition to three runs or less in each of his last three starts although he did get rocked for at least five earned runs in three of his previous four starts while allowing eight runs or more in two of those contests.Team Statistics
Offense- Runs: 3.95
- Hits: 8.68
- Walks: 2.81
- Strike Outs: 7.23
- Runs: 5.61
- Hits: 9.90
- Walks: 3.24
- Strike Outs: 7.23
Why Consider the MLB Odds for the Athletics?
Why should you consider betting on the A’s on Thursday night? Well, Oakland is also a bit desperate after losing two straight and three of their last four. Oakland has gone a respectable 3-3 over their last six, so there’s that as well. Another good reason is that the A’s have gone a respectable 15-15 at home this season.
Last but not least, Oakland is the far better statistical team, ranking 11th in scoring (4.44 rpg) and 14th in team ERA (4.00). Right-hander Paul Blackburn will make his season debut in this affair.
Team Statistics
Offense- Runs: 4.44
- Hits: 8.32
- Walks: 3.24
- Strike Outs: 8.81
- Runs: 4.39
- Hits: 8.45
- Walks: 2.84
- Strike Outs: 7.45
Latest MLB Betting Trends
- Kansas City is 10-5 ATS in its last 15 games
- Kansas City is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Kansas City’s last 5 games on the road
- Oakland is 4-10 ATS in its last 14 games at home
- Oakland is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games at home
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Oakland’s last 6 games at home
