Friday, August 29, 2014

Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

The first place Kansas City Royals will welcome a rival to Kauffman Stadium when the Cleveland Indians come to town on Friday. The Royals will look to left-hander Jason Vargas (10-6) to lead them to victory against right-hander Danny Salazar (4-6) and the Indians. The Indians are just 5.5 games behind the Royals in the Central division and will hope to gain some ground in this series.

Salazar has made 14 starts this season and has now appeared in 24 games in the past 2 seasons. Statistically, he pitched better a year ago than he has thus far in 2014, and as of late, Salazar has been performing worse, possibly showing some fatigue with the increased innings this season. In August, he is 0-3 with a 6.04 ERA and while he is averaging more than a strikeout per inning, has given up too many home runs and has been too inconsistent with the strike zone. On the offensive side, the Indians will hope to get major production from Michael Brantley, Yan Gomes, and Jason Kipinis to lead them to victory.

The first-place Royals have been one of the biggest surprises of the 2014 Major League Baseball season. One of the reasons why the Royals have been as good as they have been this season is the production they have gotten from their starting pitchers, including Vargas. He isn’t a strikeout pitcher, so his lack of strikeouts isn’t an issue. He has solid control and while his WHIP is above 1.100, has a 3.17 ERA. 

Cleveland Indians Betting Trends

Cleveland Indians are 62-64-4 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Cleveland Indians is 0.1

Kansas City Royals Betting Trends

Kansas City Royals are 59-65-7 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Kansas City Royals is 0.2

Injuries to Watch

Cleveland Indians

08/23/14 C Yan Gomes Concussion 7-day DL (8/22)
08/19/14 LF Ryan Raburn Wrist 15-day DL (8/18)
08/10/14 RF David Murphy Side 15-day DL (8/10)
08/10/14 1B Nick Swisher Knee 15-day DL (8/10); out for season
06/12/14 1B Jason Giambi Knee 60-day DL (6/12)

Kansas City Royals

08/26/14 2B Omar Infante Shoulder expected to miss a few games
08/26/14 P Yordano Ventura Back questionable
08/14/14 P Scott Downs Neck 15-day DL (8/3)
08/01/14 1B Eric Hosmer Hand 15-day DL (8/1)
03/30/14 P Luke Hochevar Elbow 60-day DL (3/21)

Tony's Pick: Take Kansas City

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Tony Sink