In this article we will formulate a Rays vs Royals prediction for this MLB game on Thursday, June 25th at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Rays are 44-33 this year after they lost two of the first three games in this series by scores of 1-2, 5-12, and 5-3. In game three, Tampa Bay scored the first five runs in the game and they were able to hang on for the win. The Rays recorded 10 hits and they committed two errors in the game, while they were led by Diaz, who went 4-5 with one RBI. Jax allowed five hits and zero earned runs over 5.0 innings for the win, while Baker picked up the save. Prior to this series, Tampa Bay won two out of three against the Nationals, but lost all three against the Dodgers before that.
This season, Tampa Bay has a 3.90 ERA with a 1.23 WHIP and a .238 opponent batting average, while they have scored 338 runs with a .257 batting average and a .335 on base percentage. Jonathan Aranda has led the Rays with 12 home runs and 53 RBIs, while Yandy Diaz has added 12 home runs and 51 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Tampa Bay is Casey Legumina, who is 2-1 with a 3.45 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP over 31.1 innings pitched this year.
Kansas City Royals Betting Preview
The Kansas City Royals are 34-47 this season after they lost game three by a score of 3-5 on Wednesday night. Kansas City cut the deficit to 5-2 in the fifth inning, but could only find one more run in the loss. The Royals recorded seven hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Rojas, who went 1-1 with one home run and one RBI. Cameron allowed eight hits and five earned runs over 5.0 innings for the loss, while Way pitched a scoreless inning in relief. Prior to this series, Kansas City won two out of three against the Cardinals, but lost two out of three against the Nationals before that.
This season, Kansas City has a 4.55 ERA with a 1.39 WHIP and a .254 opponent batting average, while they have scored 348 runs with a .248 batting average and a .320 on base percentage. Carter Jensen has led the Royals with 10 home runs and 40 RBIs, while Bobby Witt has added 10 home runs and 32 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Kansas City is Seth Lugo, who is 3-4 with a 3.69 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP over 85.1 innings pitched this season.
Why the Tampa Bay Rays will win
- The Royals have lost each of their last nine day games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
- The Rays have won seven of their last eight day games against American League opponents following a home win.
- The Royals have failed to cover the run line in nine of their last 10 games against AL East opponents following a loss.
- The Rays have covered the run line in seven of their last eight day games against American League opponents following a home win.
- The Royals have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last seven day games against AL East opponents.
- The Royals have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last seven day games against AL East opponents that held a winning record.
Why the Kansas City Royals will win
- The Rays have lost each of their last four games as home favorites against the Royals following a win.
- The Royals have won five of their last six games as road underdogs against the Rays.
- The Rays have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six home games against the Royals following a win.
- The road team has covered the run line in nine of the last 10 games between the Royals and Rays.
- The Rays have trailed after 3 innings in six of their last seven games against AL Central opponents.
- The Rays have trailed after 5 innings in six of their last seven games against AL Central opponents.
Total Runs Facts
- Five of the Royals’ last six games have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Five of the Rays’ last six day games against American League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of Ian Seymour’s last six appearances as a starter.
- There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in seven of the Royals’ last eight day games.
Tampa Bay Rays Player Prop Facts
- Cedric Mullins has hit a home run in two of the Rays’ last three day games against AL opponents that held a losing record.
- Taylor Walls has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 11 appearances with the Rays as favorites.
- Yandy Diaz ranks T3rd in the league in Hits (94) this season.
Kansas City Royals Player Prop Facts
- Bobby Witt Jr. has hit a home run in three of his last four appearances against AL opponents that held a winning record.
- Seth Lugo has recorded a win in each of his three previous appearances against the Rays.
- Seth Lugo has recorded five or more strikeouts in each of his last four appearances with the Royals as road underdogs against AL opponents.
- Carter Jensen has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 15 appearances.
- Bobby Witt Jr. ranks 2nd in the league in Steals (28) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Rays rank 30th in the league for home runs this season (63).
- The Rays rank 1st in the league for strikeouts against this season (563).
- The Royals rank T2nd in the league for doubles this season (145).
- The Royals are one of only four teams in the league to rank top 10 in both steals and batting average this season.
Rays vs Royals Prediction
Tampa Bay was able to get a much needed win on Wednesday night and they are looking for the series split here. The Rays are 27-12 at home this year, while the Royals are 15-25 on the road. Kansas City has split their last four games and they have allowed 5+ runs in four of their last five. The Royals are starting Lugo, who has allowed one earned run in three of his last four starts, while Legumina will be an opener. I know Lugo has pitched better recently, but TB is still the much better side at a decent price. Take the Rays here.