Kansas City Royals (5-16) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (12-10)
April 24, 2023 9:40 pm EDT
The Line: Arizona Diamondbacks -124 / Kansas City Royals +114; Over/Under: +9.5
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The Kansas City Royals and the Arizona Diamondbacks meet Monday in MLB action from Chase Field. Kansas City is fresh off a series versus the Angels. Kansas City split the first pair in that set, then on Sunday in the rubber match the Royals lost by one run. As for Arizona, they played the Padres in their last series. The Diamondbacks lost two of the first three in that set, then on Sunday Arizona lost by two runs. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Kansas City Royals
Kansas City lost to the Angels 2-0 on Friday but then bounced back for an 11-8 win in game two. In the Sunday finale the Royals had a brief 2-1 lead but ultimately fell 4-3. Starter Jordan Lyles finished with 6.0 innings, four earned, four hits and a walk.
For the starter job in the Monday game, Kansas City will send out Brad Keller. This year over his four starts Keller is 2-2 with a 3.00 ERA and 18 Ks in 21.0 innings. Keller is 37-51 in his career with a 4.21 ERA in 143 games (109 starts).
Arizona Diamondbacks
Over on the Diamondbacks’ side, they beat the Padres 9-0 Friday but otherwise fell 7-5 and 5-3 in the first three games. On Sunday Arizona scored four runs in the final three innings but ended up losing 7-5. Drey Jameson lasted just one inning with three earned on three hits and three walks.
As starting pitcher for Monday’s matchup, the Diamondbacks will bring out Tommy Henry in his season debut. Henry is 3-4 in his MLB career with a 5.36 ERA and 36 Ks in 47.0 innings over nine starts.
The Royals are 17-36 in their last 53 overall and 15-36 in the last 51 road games. Kansas City is 0-4 in their last four in game one of a series.
Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks are 2-10 in their last 12 in game one of a series and 6-14 in their last 20 interleague home games. Arizona is 3-8 in their last 11 interleague home games versus a team with a losing record.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ll probably stay with the Diamondbacks here. Probably staying away, though; a lot of Arizona’s success will hinge on what Henry does in the start. If he can at least flirt with a quality outing (and if the Diamondbacks get the bats going) Arizona should be in good shape. On Sunday the Diamondbacks fought back from an early deficit but ultimately couldn’t climb out of the hole. Arizona should match up better in this series, and I like the Diamondbacks to start it off with a win.
