The Tampa Bay Rays are visiting the Kansas City Royals on Thursday, June 26th at the Kauffman Stadium in the third game of this series, with the Rays having a 2-0 lead. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Rays vs Royals Prediction. We will examine:
The Kansas City Royals’ recent form and player performance
The Tampa Bay Rays’ recent form and player performance
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Kansas City Royals
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Tampa Bay Rays
Recent betting trends in games played between the Tampa Bay Rays vs Kansas City Royals
A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Tampa Bay Rays vs Kansas City Royals game
Kansas City Royals Preview
The Kansas City Royals have a 38-42 record this season and are sitting in third place in the AL Central. The Royals have a 19-21 ηομε record and are 31-48 in over/under. They are coming off a 0-3 home defeat by the Rays and have four consecutive losses. Under is 8-2 in their last 10 games, and are playing the Dodgers and the Mariners next.
The Royals have a .244 batting average this season, a .298 OBP, and a .366 Slugging percentage. Kansas’ pitching staff has a 3.40 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. Maikel Garcia leads the Royals with 89 hits, and he is the team’s best hitter with a .310 batting average. Vinnie Pasquantino leads the team both in RBI, with 42, and in home runs, with 11.
Michael Lorenzen (R) is the projected starter for the Royals, and he has a 4-7 record, 4.81 ERA, and 1.37 WHIP.
Tampa Bay Rays Preview
The Tampa Bay Rays have a 45-35 record this season and are sitting in second place in the AL East. The Rays have an 18-12 road record and are 32-45 in over/under. They are coming off a 3-0 road victory over the Royals, but are still 4-1 in their last 5 games. They are playing the Orioles and the Athletics next.
The Rays have a .257 batting average this season, a .324 OBP, and a .403 slugging percentage. Tampa’s pitching staff has a 3.54 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. Yandy Diaz leads the Rays with 87 hits, while Jonathan Aranda is the team’s best hitter with a .331 batting average. Junior Caminero leads the team in RBI, with 50, and in home runs, with 19.
Shane Baz (R) will take the mound for the Rays, and he has a 7-3 record, 4.79 ERA, and 1.33 WHIP.
Why the Kansas City Royals will win
- The Rays have lost five of their last six games as favorites against AL Central opponents following a road win.
- The underdogs have won four of the last five games between the Rays and Royals.
- The Rays have failed to cover the run line in each of their last eight Thursday day games as favorites against American League opponents.
- The Royals have covered the run line in each of their last eight Thursday games.
- The Royals have led after 5 innings in each of their last six Thursday day games.
- The Royals have led after 3 innings in five of their last six day games against the Rays at Kauffman Stadium.
Why the Tampa Bay Rays will win
- The Royals have lost each of their last nine games at Kauffman Stadium.
- The road team has won each of the last six games between the Rays and Royals.
- The Rays have covered the run line in each of their last six road games.
- The Royals have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine games at Kauffman Stadium.
- The Royals have trailed after 3 innings in five of their last six games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
- The Rays have led after 5 innings in each of their last four road games.
- The Rays have won the first inning in each of their last five Thursday games against the Royals.
Total Runs Facts
- Eight of the Royals’ last nine day games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Eight of the Rays’ last nine road games against AL Central opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in 10 of the Royals’ last 11 games against AL East opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in 14 of the Rays’ last 16 day games against AL Central opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Royals rank 30th in the league for runs scored this season (263).
- The Royals rank 30th in the league for walks this season (191).
- The Rays rank 1st in the league for steals this season (104).
- The Rays rank 2nd in the league for batting average this season (.257).
Rays vs Royals Prediction
Both teams are tied 5-5 in their last 10 meetings, but the Royals are 3-2 in their 5 meetings this season. Under is 7-2 in their last 9 overall meetings, and 4-1 in their 5 meetings this season.
In this Rays vs Royals Prediction, the Rays are coming as -130 home favorites. The Rays are rightfully favored, as they have a better overall record and have been strong on the road, while the Royals have been mediocre at home. The Rays have the pitching advantage, a better bullpen, and a better offense, as they are much better against right-handed pitching. Take the Rays to win this one on the road.