Kansas City Royals vs Oakland Athletics MLB Picks, Odds, Predictions 9/15/2021
Oakland Athletics (77-66) vs. Kansas City Royals (65-78)
September 15, 2021 8:10 pm EDT
The Line: Kansas City Royals +110 / Oakland Athletics -147; Over/Under: +8
(Get latest betting odds)
The Oakland Athletics and the Kansas City Royals meet Wednesday in MLB action from Kauffman Stadium. This will be the second installment in a three-game series. In the Tuesday opener, Kansas City managed a three-run win. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Oakland played the Rangers over the weekend, winning Friday but losing the remaining pair in that series. On Tuesday against KC, the A’s had an early lead but coughed up four runs in the sixth on the way to a 10-7 loss. Frankie Montas put up 3.1 innings with four earned, eight hits and two walks.
For the starter job in the Wednesday game, the A’s will send out Sean Manaea. Over his 156.2 innings this year Manaea has 152 hits with 67 runs (66 earned), 23 homers allowed, 37 walks, 174 Ks and a 3.79 ERA.
Over on the Royals’ side, they played the Twins over the weekend. KC lost Saturday but won the other two games. In Tuesday’s matchup, the Royals posted 14 hits in the victory. Jackson Kowar lasted just one inning with five earned, three hits and four walks.
Starting pitcher for Kansas City on Wednesday will be Mike Minor. In 158.2 innings of work this year Minor has 156 hits, 92 runs (89 earned), 26 homers allowed, 41 walks, 149 Ks and a 5.05 ERA.
The A’s are 77-26 in their last 103 versus the AL Central and 39-17 in their last 56 road games versus a lefty starter. Oakland is also 36-17 in their last 53 Wednesday games.
Meanwhile, the Royals are 0-4 in their last four in game two of a series and 1-4 in their last five Wednesday games. KC is 16-7 in their last 23 versus a lefty starter as well.
PICK: I’m going to try Kansas City here. Minor has been pretty solid over his last two games, posting two earned on 10 hits and one homer in 11.0 innings during that stretch. As for Manaea, he’s got just three earned on 10 hits, one homer and one walk in his last 14.0 frames. This should be a pretty interesting starting pitcher battle, and I like both guys to flirt with quality outings. I think the Royals can eke out a win if their bats are working.
