Kansas City Royals vs Oakland Athletics MLB Picks, Odds, Predictions 9/16/2021
Oakland Athletics (77-67) vs. Kansas City Royals (66-78)
September 16, 2021 2:10 pm EDT
The Line: Kansas City Royals +115 / Oakland Athletics -152; Over/Under: +10
(Get latest betting odds)
The Oakland Athletics and the Kansas City Royals meet Thursday in MLB action from Kauffman Stadium. This will be the final installment in a three-game series. The Royals took a three-run win in the Tuesday opener, then in game two Wednesday the A’s managed a dramatic two-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Oakland had a 6-0 lead at one point in the Tuesday opener, but collapsed in the later innings with a 10-7 loss. In the Wednesday game, the A’s had a firm 12-6 lead in the seventh but had to hang on for a 12-10 result. Sean Manaea finished on five earned, nine hits and a walk in 5.0 innings.
For the starter job in the Thursday finale, the A’s will send out Paul Blackburn. Through his 22.1 innings so far this year, Blackburn has 30 hits, 13 earned runs, four homers allowed, five walks, 15 Ks and a 5.24 ERA.
Over on the Royals’ side, they posted 14 team hits in their wild comeback win on Tuesday. In the Wednesday game, Kansas City put up four runs in the final two frames but couldn’t catch up. Starter Carlos Hernandez lasted 4.0 innings with seven earned on four walks and nine hits.
For the starter gig in the Thursday game Kansas City will send out Carlos Hernandez. In his 76.2 innings this year Hernandez has 58 hits, 29 runs (28 earned), six homers allowed, 34 walks, 70 Ks and a 3.29 ERA.
The A’s are 7-1 in their last eight Thursday games and 77-27 in their last 104 versus the AL Central. The under is 6-1 in Oakland’s last seven in game three of a series as well.
Meanwhile, the Royals are 46-105 in their last 151 in game three of a series and 28-65 in their last 93 versus the AL West. The under is also 4-1-1 in KC’s last six Thursday games.
PICK: I’m going to take Kansas City. Hernandez has been solid over his last four starts, putting up three earned on 13 hits and nine walks in a span of 24.2 innings. As for Blackburn, he’s got eight earned on 15 hits, three homers and a walk in 6.1 innings over his last two starts. I think Hernandez will get the better of the starter battle in a KC win here.
