PREMIUM
GAME OF THE WEEK >>> Rogers' 10* MLB!
(MLB) Detroit vs. Kansas City,
Money Line: -140.00 Kansas City (Home)
Result: Win
Money Line: -140.00 Kansas City (Home)
Result: Win
The set-up: The Kansas City Royals went to back-to-back World Series, losing in seven games to the Giants in 2014 and then beating the Mets in five games in 2015. However, that seems like 'light years' ago, as KC came into the 2018 season off back-to-back years of 81-81 and 80-82 records. Expectations were even lower entering this season and unfortunately, those low expectations have been met. The Royals opened their four-game home series with the Tigers at 8-22, having gone 0-8-2 in 10 previous series this season. KC did win the first two games of the set but a ninth-inning rally came up short in Saturday's 3-2 setback. The loss snapped their four-game home winning streak and gave the Tigers a chance to salvage a split of the series in Sunday's finale. Detroit ended a two-game skid when Shane Greene worked out of a ninth-inning jam, giving the Tigers a modest 14-18 start to the 2018 season.
The pitching matchup: Detroit lefty Matthew Boyd (1-2, 2.48 ERA) takes the mound for the Tigers and will go up against KC's Jakob Junis (3-2, 3.29 ERA). This marks Boyd's sixth start of 2018 and while he owns just one win, he's pitched well. He's allowed a modest 23 hits over 29 innings, has struck out 21 and walked just eight plus opponents are batting only .217 against him. Note that over Boyd's last nine starts (dating back to September 12, 2017), he has a 2.47 ERA with 42 strikeouts in 54 2/3 innings, while opponents are hitting .204 off him in that span. Junis has recorded quality starts in four of his six outings in 2018, including a no-decision at Boston last time out. He held the Red Sox's powerful lineup to two runs with five strikeouts over six innings in a bounce-back outing after giving up five HRs in his previous start against the White Sox, a 6-3 loss. Like Boyd, Junis has been tough to hit so far this season, holding opponents to a .199 batting average in his first six starts.
The pick: A closer look reveals that Boyd has struggled against the Royals, going 2-5 with a 7.05 ERA in 10 career starts against KC. In stark contrast, Junis is 4-1 with a 3.67 ERA in five games (four starts) against Detroit, including two wins this season in which he's posted a 1.20 ERA. The 'kicker' is this. Boyd owns a 10.53 ERA in five career Kauffman Stadium starts plus a 14-24 record with a 5.20 ERA in 64 games (60 starts) in the majors. Make KC a 10* play.
The pitching matchup: Detroit lefty Matthew Boyd (1-2, 2.48 ERA) takes the mound for the Tigers and will go up against KC's Jakob Junis (3-2, 3.29 ERA). This marks Boyd's sixth start of 2018 and while he owns just one win, he's pitched well. He's allowed a modest 23 hits over 29 innings, has struck out 21 and walked just eight plus opponents are batting only .217 against him. Note that over Boyd's last nine starts (dating back to September 12, 2017), he has a 2.47 ERA with 42 strikeouts in 54 2/3 innings, while opponents are hitting .204 off him in that span. Junis has recorded quality starts in four of his six outings in 2018, including a no-decision at Boston last time out. He held the Red Sox's powerful lineup to two runs with five strikeouts over six innings in a bounce-back outing after giving up five HRs in his previous start against the White Sox, a 6-3 loss. Like Boyd, Junis has been tough to hit so far this season, holding opponents to a .199 batting average in his first six starts.
The pick: A closer look reveals that Boyd has struggled against the Royals, going 2-5 with a 7.05 ERA in 10 career starts against KC. In stark contrast, Junis is 4-1 with a 3.67 ERA in five games (four starts) against Detroit, including two wins this season in which he's posted a 1.20 ERA. The 'kicker' is this. Boyd owns a 10.53 ERA in five career Kauffman Stadium starts plus a 14-24 record with a 5.20 ERA in 64 games (60 starts) in the majors. Make KC a 10* play.
