The Chicago Cubs and the Kansas City Royals meet Friday in MLB action from Kauffman Stadium. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Kansas City Royals vs Chicago Cubs Prediction.
Starting Pitching Matchup
The Chicago Cubs will send out Kyle Hendricks for the start here and Hendricks is 2-8 with a 6.69 ERA and 52 strikeouts this season. In his career, Hendricks is 2-0 with a 1.40 ERA and 15 strikeouts against the Royals. Brady Singer will start for Kansas City here and is 6-6 with a 3.00 ERA and 106 strikeouts this season. In his career, Singer is 0-2 with an 8.31 ERA and 11 strikeouts this season.
Chicago Cubs Recap
The Chicago Cubs come into this one looking to shake off back-to-back series losses to start the second half after ending up with a 3-2 loss at the hands of the Milwaukee Brewers last time out, following their series defeat at the hands of the Diamondbacks prior to that.
Cubs Looking To Get Back To .500
Cody Bellinger has 84 hits including 15 doubles, 9 home runs and 37 RBIs. Nico Hoerner has 93 hits, 20 doubles and a .257 batting average while Christopher Morel has a team-high 18 home runs and 51 RBIs. Michael Busch has 12 homers with 37 RBIs but has 113 strikeouts as well this season. Ian Happ also has a team-high 23 doubles with 16 home runs and 60 RBIs but also has 110 strikeouts this season. Seiya Suzuki’s also chipped in 14 homers and 47 RBIs this season.
Why the Chicago Cubs will win
- The Cubs have won each of their last four games as underdogs against American League opponents.
- The Royals have lost six of their last eight games as home favorites against NL Central opponents.
- The Cubs have covered the run line in nine of their last 10 games as underdogs against American League opponents.
- The Royals have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight games as home favorites against NL Central opponents.
Kansas City Royals Recap
The Kansas City Royals will look to rebound from a series loss to the Diamondbacks after an 8-6 loss in Wednesday’s rubber match to Los Serpientes after sweeping the White Sox in their opening series out of the all-star break.
Royals Looking To Push For Playoff Spot
Bobby Witt Jr. leads the Royals with 141 hits including 18 home runs, 70 RBIs and team-highs of 10 triples and 28 doubles with 23 stolen bases. Salvador Perez also has 18 home runs with 67 RBIs and 16 doubles. Nelson Velazquez also has 75 strikeouts while Maikel Garcia has 6 home runs, 45 RBIs and 23 stolen bases along with 5 triples and 16 doubles this season. Vinnie Pasquantino has 23 doubles with 11 homers and 66 RBIs of his own on the year.
Why the Kansas City Royals will win
- The Royals have won 20 of their last 21 home games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Cubs have lost each of their last seven night games following a loss.
- The Royals have covered the run line in 15 of their last 16 home games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six night games against AL Central opponents.
Kansas City Royals vs Chicago Cubs Prediction
I’m on the Royals here. I just haven’t loved what I’ve seen from Kyle Hendricks for much of the year in the starter’s role and I don’t love this spot for him on the road at Kauffman against a Royals team that plays their best baseball by a mile at home. I just think the Royals are in a much better position coming into this game and in the end, I think they do enough to get the win here. Give me Kansas City.