The Kansas City Royals and the Texas Rangers meet Saturday in MLB action from Globe Life Field. This will be the second installment in a three-game set between these teams over the weekend. In the Friday opener, the Rangers bagged a five-run win. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Kansas City played the Yankees this week in a three-game set. The Royals won the first game but dropped the other pair. In the Friday opener versus the Rangers, KC posted eight hits in a 9-4 loss. Mike Minor managed 5.0 innings with nine earned on 11 hits.
For the Saturday start, the Royals are turning to Kyle Zimmer. This year Zimmer has a 3-0 record and a 2.48 ERA with 28 strikeouts.
Over on the Rangers’ side, they played the A’s this week. Texas won the Monday and Wednesday games but dropped the other pair for a split. On Friday, the Rangers had the offense working on 13 hits. Dane Dunning went 5.0 innings with two earned and five hits.
For the Saturday starting pitcher job, the Rangers are going with Kyle Gibson. Over his 83.0 innings so far this year, Gibson has 63 hits, 21 runs (20 earned), six homers allowed, 25 walks, 64 strikeouts and a 2.17 ERA.
The Royals are 56-117 in their last 173 road games versus a right-handed starter and 17-50 in their last 67 versus the AL West. KC is 0-4 in their last four Saturday games and 0-5 in their last five in game two of a series.
Meanwhile, the Rangers are 36-76 in their last 112 on grass and 6-13 in their last 19 Saturday games. Texas is 16-36 in their last 52 versus a team with a losing record and 2-7 in their last nine in game two of a series.
PICK: I’m going to stick with Texas. Gibson has been one of the more reliable players on the Texas roster, and he hasn’t given up more than two earned runs in any of his last seven starts. In his last pair of outings, Gibson has three earned on 12 hits with four walks and six Ks over 11.1 innings. I like Gibson to keep it going here and give his offense a good opportunity for a victory.