The Kansas City Royals and the Tampa Bay Rays meet Thursday in MLB action from Tropicana Field. The Royals are fresh off a series versus the Tigers, splitting the first two games. In the Wednesday rubber match, Kansas City took a five-run loss. As for Tampa Bay, they played the Orioles in their last set. The Rays lost Tuesday, then in game two Tampa Bay won by five. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place. 

Kansas City Royals 

The Royals took a 6-4 loss to the Tigers on Monday, but bounced back with a tight 1-0 win in game two. In the Wednesday rubber match Kansas City fell 9-4. Starting pitcher Brady Singer lasted 7.0 innings with five earned on seven hits and a walk.

For the starter job in the Thursday opener it’s looking like the Royals will go with Jose Cuas. This year in 32 games (zero starts) Cuas is 3-0 with a 4.15 ERA and 39 Ks in 30.1 innings. Cubs is 7-2 with a 3.84 ERA in 79 career games (zero starts). 

Tampa Bay Rays 

Over on the Rays’ side, they gave up six runs to the Orioles in the first two innings Tuesday. In the Wednesday matchup Tampa Bay bagged 10 team hits in a 7-2 win. Starting pitcher Taj Bradley finished with 6.0 innings, one earned, six hits and zero walks. 

In the starting pitcher slot Thursday the Rays are sending out Shane McClanahan. Across 15 starts this year McClanahan is 11-1 with a 2.12 ERA and 97 strikeouts over 89.1 innings. McClanahan is 33-15 with a 2.73 career ERA in 68 starts. 

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I have to stay with the Rays in this one. The line’s way too thick to mess with though, so taking KC as a value play is reasonable. McClanahan is having an excellent year, and he’s on a great win streak right now. In his last trio combined, McClanahan is 3-0 with five earned over 19.2 innings on 12 hits and six walks. On Wednesday Tampa Bay scored four in the second inning and finished strong with a nice effort on both sides. The Rays’ pitching staff should be able to handle the Royals hitters here, but it’ll be interesting to see what Cuas can do for KC as well—if he does indeed open the game.