Friday, October 10, 2014

Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore

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James Shields and the Kansas City Royals will be facing Chris Tillman and the Baltimore Orioles in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Friday night. The Royals won four of their seven games against the O's this season.

Right-hander James Shields made his second start of the postseason in the Royals' series-sealing win over the Los Angeles Angels in the ALDS. He pitched six innings in that game and gave up two runs on six hits while walking two and striking out six. He now has a 1-0 record with a 4.91 ERA in his two postseason starts this year.

In two starts against the Orioles this year, Shields was 2-0 with a 3.21 ERA. Orioles’ outfielder Adam Jones has 13 hits in 46 at-bats against Shields in his career with five doubles, a triple and a home run.

Chris Tillman made the first postseason start of his career in Game 1 of the ALDS when he beat the Detroit Tigers. He went five innings in that game and allowed just two runs on four base hits while walking one batter and striking out six.

Tillman will be looking forward to facing the Royals again in Friday as he was able to pitch a five-hit shutout against them earlier this season. Outfielder Alex Gordon only has three hits in 13 at-bats against the right-hander in his career, but two of those hits were home runs.

Kansas City Royals Betting Trends

Kansas City Royals are 75-83-8 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Kansas City Royals is 0.2

Baltimore Orioles Betting Trends

Baltimore Orioles are 71-90-4 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Baltimore Orioles is 0.7

Injuries to Watch

Kansas City Royals

08/14/14 P Scott Downs Neck 15-day DL (8/3)
03/30/14 P Luke Hochevar Elbow 60-day DL (3/21)

Baltimore Orioles

09/12/14 3B Chris Davis Suspension expected to miss 25 games
08/22/14 3B Manny Machado Knee 60-day DL (8/12); out for season
06/17/14 C Matt Wieters Elbow 60-day DL (5/11), out for season
06/03/14 P Johan Santana Shoulder 60-day DL (6/2), out for season
04/03/14 P Edgmer Escalo Shoulder 60-day DL (3/30)
03/31/14 LF Francisco Peguero Wrist 15-day DL (3/21)

Guy's Pick: Take Kansas City

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