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(MLB) Kansas City vs. Oakland,
Money Line: -108.00 Kansas City (Away)
Result: Loss
Money Line: -108.00 Kansas City (Away)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Royals saw their losing skid reach five games when they lost the Friday opener of their three-game series in Chicago against the White Sox. However, KC rebounded by winning Saturday and Sunday and last night, took the first of a three-game series in Oakland against the A's, 6-2. The three-game winning streak has allowed the Royals to climb back into a virtual second-place tie with the Twins in the AL Central, five games back of the first-place Indians. More importantly, both the Twins and Royals are just a half-game back of the Angels for the AL's second wild card spot. Kansas City hopes to bolster its wild-card position when it when it continues its series tonight in Oakland against the 52-67 A's. Oakland fell to 2-5 on its nine-game homestand and owns the AL's second-worst record, better than only the 45-70 White Sox.
The pitching matchup: Jason Hammel (5-9 & 4.68 ERA) will get the nod for KC and Chris Smith (0-2 & 5.29 ERA) goes for Oakland. Hammel's year has been a huge disappointment, as the Royals are 7-16 in his 2017 starts, giving him MLB's 8th-worst moneyline mark (minus-$758). However, he's actually been fairly solid for quite awhile now, as he's allowed three runs or less in 12 of his last 13 starts (KC is just 6-7, though). Hammel is 2-2 in four lifetime against Oakland with a 5.14 ERA. Smith remains in search of his first major-league victory since 2008 with Boston, after being ripped for five runs on seven hits (including 4 HRs!) over six innings in a 7-2 loss to Baltimore on Thursday. The 36-year-old has allowed 16 ERs on 25 hits over 21 innings of his last four appearances (three starts), for a 6.86 ERA. He's made two two career relief appearances versus Kansas City but this is his first start.
The pick: Getting the AL's two-worst teams in back-to-back series has allowed the Royals to win three of four so far and I'm 'on board' with the idea that KC will win Tuesday and Wednesday in Oakland, as well. First things first. Hammel has settled down lately (see above) and should be good enough to help KC to a win in this one.
The pitching matchup: Jason Hammel (5-9 & 4.68 ERA) will get the nod for KC and Chris Smith (0-2 & 5.29 ERA) goes for Oakland. Hammel's year has been a huge disappointment, as the Royals are 7-16 in his 2017 starts, giving him MLB's 8th-worst moneyline mark (minus-$758). However, he's actually been fairly solid for quite awhile now, as he's allowed three runs or less in 12 of his last 13 starts (KC is just 6-7, though). Hammel is 2-2 in four lifetime against Oakland with a 5.14 ERA. Smith remains in search of his first major-league victory since 2008 with Boston, after being ripped for five runs on seven hits (including 4 HRs!) over six innings in a 7-2 loss to Baltimore on Thursday. The 36-year-old has allowed 16 ERs on 25 hits over 21 innings of his last four appearances (three starts), for a 6.86 ERA. He's made two two career relief appearances versus Kansas City but this is his first start.
The pick: Getting the AL's two-worst teams in back-to-back series has allowed the Royals to win three of four so far and I'm 'on board' with the idea that KC will win Tuesday and Wednesday in Oakland, as well. First things first. Hammel has settled down lately (see above) and should be good enough to help KC to a win in this one.
