In this article we will formulate a Royals vs Cubs prediction for this MLB game on Sunday, August 9th at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Kansas City Royals Betting Preview
The Kansas City Royals are 49-69 this season after they split the first two games by scores of 4-6 and 6-3. In game two, Kansas City scored four runs in the first three innings, but barely hung on for the win. The Royals recorded 10 hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Caglianone, who went 4-4 with two home runs and four RBIs. Lugo allowed five hits and three earned runs over 6.0 innings for the win, while Pearson picked up the save. Prior to this series, Kansas City won two out of three against the Twins, but lost all three against the Royals before that.
This season, Kansas City has a 4.79 ERA with a 1.42 WHIP and a .259 opponent batting average, while they have scored 490 runs with a .245 batting average and a .313 on base percentage. Carter Jensen has led the Royals with 16 home runs and 55 RBIs, while Bobby Witt has added 13 home runs and 42 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Kansas City is Randy Dobnak, who is 2-0 with a 1.16 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP over 31.0 innings pitched this season.
Chicago Cubs Betting Preview
The Chicago Cubs are 68-50 this year after they lost game two by a score of 3-6 on Saturday night. Chicago cut the deficit to 4-3 in the sixth inning, but allowed two more runs in the seventh for the loss. The Cubs recorded seven hits in the game and they were led by Kelly, who went 1-3 with two RBIs. Holmes allowed six hits and four earned runs over 4.0 innings for the loss, while Rea allowed two earned runs in relief. Prior to this series, Chicago won a makeup game with the Blue Jays and swept the Dodgers in three games.
This season, Chicago has a 4.07 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP and a .245 opponent batting average, while they have scored 604 runs with a .248 batting average and a .338 on base percentage. Pete Crow-Armstrong has led the Cubs with 26 home runs and 71 RBIs, while Dansby Swanson has added 17 home runs and 63 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Chicago is Matthew Boyd, who is 7-1 with a 3.59 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP over 72.2 innings pitched this year.
Why the Kansas City Royals will win
- The Royals have won eight of their last nine games as home underdogs.
- The Cubs have lost three of their last five games as road favorites against AL Central opponents.
- The underdogs have covered the run line in 12 of the Royals’ last 13 games at Kauffman Stadium.
- The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight day games against American League opponents following a loss.
- The Cubs have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last five road day games.
- The Royals have led after 5 innings in four of their last five day games against National League opponents that held a winning record.
- The Royals have won the first inning in each of their last four games against opponents that held a winning record.
Why the Chicago Cubs will win
- The Cubs have won each of their last eight games following a loss.
- The Royals have lost each of their last five day games against NL Central opponents following a win.
- The Cubs have covered the run line in nine of their last 10 road games after playing the previous day.
- The Royals have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight games against NL Central opponents following a home win.
- The Royals have lost the first inning in four of their last five day games against NL Central opponents.
- The Cubs have led after 3 innings in 10 of their last 11 day games against AL Central opponents that held a losing record.
- The Royals have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last four day games at Kauffman Stadium against NL Central opponents.
Total Runs Facts
- Six of the Royals’ last seven home games against NL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Five of the Cubs’ last six road games against AL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of the Cubs’ last 11 games against AL Central opponents.
- There has been at least one run scored in the first inning in each of the Royals’ last eight day games against NL Central opponents.
Kansas City Royals Player Prop Facts
- Jac Caglianone has hit at least one home run in four of the Royals’ last five games against NL Central opponents.
- Isaac Collins has recorded at least one hit in each of the Royals’ last eight home games against NL Central opponents.
- Bobby Witt Jr. ranks 2nd in the league in Steals (31) this season.
Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts
- Alex Bregman has hit a home run in each of the Cubs’ last three day games against opponents that held a losing record.
- Matthew Boyd has recorded five or more strikeouts in each of his last eight appearances against AL Central opponents that held a losing record.
- Carson Kelly has recorded at least one hit in each of his last nine road appearances against AL Central opponents.
- Matthew Boyd has recorded a win in each of his last four appearances against AL opponents.
- Pete Crow-Armstrong ranks T3rd in the league in Steals (30) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Royals rank T1st in the league for doubles this season (213).
- The Royals rank 28th in the league for ERA this season (4.81).
- The Cubs rank 1st in the league for walks this season (502).
- The Cubs rank 2nd in the league for runs scored this season (601).
Royals vs Cubs Prediction
Chicago had their winning streak snapped on Saturday in game two and they have allowed six runs in two of their last four games. The Cubs are 33-26 on the road this year, while the Royals are 29-29 at home. Kansas City has won three of their last five games and they have allowed three runs or fewer in three of their last five. The Royals are starting Dobnak, who has allowed two earned runs in his last 27.0 innings, while Boyd has allowed 4, 0, 1, 1, and 4 earned runs in his last five starts. Take the Royals at home here.