PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* AL TOP TICKET - 7-1 Run With Top Tickets!
(MLB) Kansas City vs. Boston,
Money Line: -163.00 Boston (Home)
Result: Loss
Money Line: -163.00 Boston (Home)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The KC Royals have represented the AL in each of the last two World Series, losing a dramatic seven-game series in 2014 to the Giants but then rolling 4-1 over the Mets in winning the team's first title since 1980 in 2015. KC looked like a playoff pretender, not a contender at the start of August, as the Royals were just 49-55. KC fell to 51-58 after July August 5 but the Royals have since gone 15-3, including a nine-game winning streak from Aug.14-23. All of a sudden, KC's playoff hopes are alive, as the Royals are four games out in the chase for the AL's second wild card spot. The Boston Red Sox just finished a four-city road trip that ended with two losses to the last-place Rays. Boston's 7-4 mark leaves them tied with the Toronto Blue Jays (71-56) for the AL East lead, with the Baltimore Orioles a game behind.
The pitching match-up: Ian Kennedy (8-9, 3.58 ERA) will take the mound for KC and Steven Wright (13-5, 3.01 ERA) is ready to make his first appearance since August 6, having been on the DL since August 15. Ian Kennedy signed a five-year, $70 million free agent contract with the Royals this past offseason but for most of the year he has been a disappointment. However, the Royals have won his last three starts with Kennedy posting an 0.86 ERA. Going back five starts, Kennedy's ERA is even lower at 0.79. "That's five starts in a row where he's been completely in control. He's just been throwing the ball extremely well," manager Ned Yost said after Kennedy's last start. Wright threw a bullpen session in St. Petersburg, Fla. and was pronounced ready to make his first appearance since August 6 on Friday night. Wright entered this season with just 26 career appearances (11 starts) but takes the mound with 13 wins in 2016 (over 22 starts), having not lost since June 25 (he's 5-0 and the team 6-1 in those seven starts).
The pick: KC is sure on a roll, as is Kennedy, but the Red Sox lead all of MLB in runs scored (5.43 RPG), team BA (.283) and OPS (.813). Let's not ignore the fact that the Royals are only 26-40 on the road, compared to their 40-21 home record, giving them MLB's top home moneyline mark (plus-$1983). Boston is a 10* play.
The pitching match-up: Ian Kennedy (8-9, 3.58 ERA) will take the mound for KC and Steven Wright (13-5, 3.01 ERA) is ready to make his first appearance since August 6, having been on the DL since August 15. Ian Kennedy signed a five-year, $70 million free agent contract with the Royals this past offseason but for most of the year he has been a disappointment. However, the Royals have won his last three starts with Kennedy posting an 0.86 ERA. Going back five starts, Kennedy's ERA is even lower at 0.79. "That's five starts in a row where he's been completely in control. He's just been throwing the ball extremely well," manager Ned Yost said after Kennedy's last start. Wright threw a bullpen session in St. Petersburg, Fla. and was pronounced ready to make his first appearance since August 6 on Friday night. Wright entered this season with just 26 career appearances (11 starts) but takes the mound with 13 wins in 2016 (over 22 starts), having not lost since June 25 (he's 5-0 and the team 6-1 in those seven starts).
The pick: KC is sure on a roll, as is Kennedy, but the Red Sox lead all of MLB in runs scored (5.43 RPG), team BA (.283) and OPS (.813). Let's not ignore the fact that the Royals are only 26-40 on the road, compared to their 40-21 home record, giving them MLB's top home moneyline mark (plus-$1983). Boston is a 10* play.
