Saturday, September 13, 2014

Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Heading into the season, not many people looking at the September schedule thought the Kansas City Royals would be in the race for first place, while the Boston Red Sox would comfortably be sitting in last place in their respective divisions. That is what is going on in 2014 and these teams will meet on Saturday from Kauffman Stadium. The Red Sox will send right-hander Rubby De La Rosa (4-6) to the hill to take on the Royals and Jeremy Guthrie (10-11).

De La Rosa will be making his 17th start of the season and after starting off hot, has struggled a bit as big league batters see him throw more. He currently has a 4.01 ERA in 92 innings, allowing 41 earned runs off 102 hits and 33 walks. He only has 64 strikeouts and has allowed 10 home runs. In his last 10 starts, he has seen his ERA climb nearly a point and half and has gone just 2-4 during that time. In his career against the current Royals, he has allowed just 7 hits in 34 at-bats with 1 home run allowed to Billy Butler.

The first place Royals will send Guthrie to the mound as he attempts to reach .500 once again. In his last start, he had the chance to go above .500 for the first time since April 9 when he was 2-0, but he didn’t make it out of the third inning against the Detroit Tigers. In his career against current Red Sox, he has allowed 47 hits in 152 at-bats with 5 home runs allowed (3 for David Ortiz and 2 for Mike Napoli).

Boston Red Sox Betting Trends

Boston Red Sox are 61-81-4 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Boston Red Sox is -0.6

Kansas City Royals Betting Trends

Kansas City Royals are 62-75-7 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Kansas City Royals is 0.2

Injuries to Watch

Boston Red Sox

09/11/14 1B Mike Napoli Illness questionable
09/10/14 CF Brock Holt Illness questionable
09/10/14 2B Dustin Pedroia Hand out for season
09/10/14 3B Will Middlebrooks Illness questionable
08/01/14 RF Shane Victorino Back 60-day DL (7/30)
05/31/14 1B Ryan Lavarnway Wrist 60-day DL (5/30)

Kansas City Royals

09/10/14 P Greg Holland Tricep questionable
09/08/14 P Danny Duffy Shoulder questionable
09/03/14 2B Christian Colon Finger out indefinitely
08/14/14 P Scott Downs Neck 15-day DL (8/3)
03/30/14 P Luke Hochevar Elbow 60-day DL (3/21)

Tony's Pick: Take Kansas City

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