In this article, we will formulate a Royals vs Athletics prediction for this MLB game on Friday, June 13, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Athletics Betting Preview
The Athletics (26-44, 14-21 Away) won a series after a month as they beat the Baltimore Orioles, but returned to losing ways against the Los Angeles Angels, who swept them in a three-game series. In the most recent 6-5 defeat, Brent Rooker led the offense with two homers and three RBI, while J.P. Sears pitched for 5.1 innings in a no-decision, allowing two runs on four hits with nine strikeouts and no walks. Grant Holman took the loss.
This year, the Athletics average 4.27 runs per game (15th in the MLB) on a .254/.321/.416 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Athletics’ staff has a 5.63 ERA (30th) and 1.52 WHIP (29th). Tyler Soderstrom leads the Athletics with a .260 batting average, 14 home runs, and 44 RBI this season.
The projected starting pitcher for the Athletics is Luis Severino, who is 1-6 in 14 starts this season, with a 4.77 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in 83.0 innings.
Kansas City Royals Betting Preview
The Kansas City Royals (34-35, 19-16 Home) lost back-to-back series to the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees. The Yankees swept the Royals over a three-game series in Kansas City. The Royals fell short to the Yanks in the latest game, losing 1-0. Seth Lugo pitched for 5.2 innings in a no-decision, allowing no runs on two hits with two strikeouts and three walks. Lucas Erceg took the loss.
This season, the Royals’ average 3.35 runs per game (28th in the MLB) on a .251/.304/.370 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Royals’ staff has a 3.40 ERA (5th) and 1.21 WHIP (8th). Vinnie Pasquantino leads the Royals with a .279 batting average, ten home runs, and 38 RBI this season.
Michael Wacha will take the mound for the Royals on Friday. The 33-year-old right-hander has a 3-5 record in 13 starts this year with a 3.01 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 74.2 innings.
Why the Royals will beat the Athletics
- The Athletics have lost each of their last 14 night games following a loss.
- The Royals have won 29 of their last 32 games at Kauffman Stadium against American League opponents that held a losing record.
- The Royals have covered the run line in nine of their last 10 home games against AL West opponents that held a losing record.
- The Athletics have failed to cover the run line in 13 of their last 15 night games against American League opponents.
- The Royals have led after 3 innings in six of their last eight home games against AL West opponents that held a losing record.
- The Royals have won the first inning in each of their last three night games against the Athletics at Kauffman Stadium.
- The Athletics have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last four games at Kauffman Stadium.
Total Runs Facts
- Six of the Athletics’ last seven games as road underdogs have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Four of the Royals’ last five games as favorites against AL West opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Athletics’ last nine Friday night games against American League opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in 12 of the Royals’ last 13 night games against AL West opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Royals rank 28th in the league for runs scored this season (231).
- The Royals rank 28th in the league for RBIs this season (227).
- The Athletics rank 30th in the league for home runs allowed this season (104).
- The Athletics rank 29th in the league for opponent batting average this season (.273).
Royals vs Athletics Prediction
The Royals won six of the previous ten H2H encounters, including five of the last seven. I am backing the Royals to win even though they are not in good form lately. Still, they are in better form than the Athletics, who are starting Luis Severino. Severino struggled in his previous two starts, allowing 14 runs, while he posted a 4.82 ERA in May. Michael Wacha, on the other hand, had a very strong May, registering a 2.45 ERA, and is looking to bring down his season ERA below 3.00 with a quality start and solid display in this game. I am backing him to do it and Kansas City to grab the win.