The Seattle Mariners and the Kansas City Royals meet Thursday in MLB action from Kauffman Stadium. This will be the finale in a four-game series. After a split in the first pair, in the Wednesday game three Seattle eked out a tight victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.

Seattle Mariners 

The Mariners lost the opener of this set 7-6 but bounced back in game two for a 10-8 win thanks to homers from Eugenio Suarez, Ty France, Teoscar Hernandez and Josh Rojas. In game three Seattle scored three in the first inning but ultimately had to hang on for a 6-5 win. Cal Raleigh had a homer and two RBI, while Julio Rodriguez had four hits, two RBI and a run. 

In the starter role for the Mariners Thursday it’ll be George Kirby. Over his 23 starts so far Kirby is 10-8 with a 3.11 ERA and 131 Ks in 144.2 innings. Kirby has gone 3-1 with a 2.89 ERA over his last seven starts. 

Seattle Mariners Team Facts

The Mariners have won each of their last eight Thursday games against American League opponents that held a losing record.
The Mariners have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight games against the Royals following a road win.
The Mariners have won the first inning in each of their last three day games against AL Central opponents.
The Mariners have led after 3 innings in each of their last seven day games against AL Central opponents that held a losing record.
The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Mariners’ last three day games against AL Central opponents.

Kansas City Royals 

Over on the Royals’ side, they put up a valiant offensive effort with 15 team hits in game two (and a grand slam from Bobby Witt). On Wednesday Kansas City scored one run in five different innings and fell short. Nelson Velazquez put up two hits and a solo homer in the losing effort. 

In the starter role Thursday for the Royals it’ll be Angel Zerpa. This year Zerpa is 1-1 with a 7.71 ERA and three strikeouts. 

Kansas City Royals Team Facts

The Royals have won three of their last four games as home underdogs following a loss.
The Royals have covered the run line in 10 of their last 11 games at Kauffman Stadium.
The Royals have won the first inning in each of their last three Thursday games as home underdogs against AL West opponents.
The Royals have led after 3 innings in four of their last six games as home underdogs against American League opponents.
The Royals have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last five day games against AL West opponents that held a winning record. 

Kansas City Royals Player Prop Facts

Bobby Witt Jr. has hit a home run in five of the Royals’ last seven home games against opponents that held a winning record.
Bobby Witt Jr. has recorded at least one RBI in five of the Royals’ last six games against the Mariners at Kauffman Stadium.
Salvador Perez has scored a run in five of the Royals’ last six games against the Mariners.
Bobby Witt Jr. has recorded two or more total bases in five of his last six appearances in day games against teams that held a winning record.
MJ Melendez has recorded at least one hit in each of the Royals’ last six day games against opponents that held a winning record.
Bobby Witt Jr. ranks 4th in the league in Steals (34) this season.

Seattle Mariners Player Prop Facts

Eugenio Suarez has hit a home run in four of the Mariners’ last seven games as favorites against AL Central opponents.
Eugenio Suarez has recorded an RBI in each of the Mariners’ last five day games.
Cal Raleigh has recorded two or more total bases in each of the Mariners’ last two day games against AL Central opponents that held a losing record.
George Kirby has recorded seven or more strikeouts in four of his last five appearances against AL opponents.
Julio Rodriguez has scored at least one run in eight of his last nine road appearances against AL Central opponents that held a losing record.
Eugenio Suarez has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 10 appearances against the Royals.
Julio Rodriguez ranks T6th in the league in Steals (30) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

The Kansas City Royals ranks 1st in the league for triples this season (32).
The Kansas City Royals ranks 30th in the league for walks this season (297).
The Seattle Mariners ranks T29th in the league for triples this season (9).
The Seattle Mariners ranks 29th in the league for strikeouts against this season (1187).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’m probably going to stay with the Mariners. The line’s too thick to mess with, though. Seattle should be in good hands with Kirby on the mound, as he’s pitching well these days. In his last three starts combined, Kirby is 1-0 with 21.0 innings, two earned, 10 hits and two walks in that time. In the Wednesday game three, Seattle started off hot and ended up with 12 team hits. The bullpen had a bit of a scare in the ninth but everything worked out well. Seattle has now scored six or more runs in three straight games. I think the Mariners will keep the offense up in this one and power out another victory.