Friday, September 5, 2014

Yankee Stadium in The Bronx

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Friday night, James Shields (12 - 7, 3.38 ERA) gets the call for the Kansas City Royals as they take on Michael Pineda (3 - 3, 2.09 ERA) and the New York Yankees. Shields will make his 30^th start as Pineda makes his 9^th start.

James Shields turned in a great start is the last time out but still didn't get the decision. In 7 innings of work, Shields allowed just a run on 5 hits with a walk and 4 strikeouts. But his offense couldn't get anything going while he was on the mound and Shields didn't profit from his efforts. It's been that way a few times for Shields as he has pitched well in recent weeks but is just 3 - 3 in his last 10 outings. In 2013, Shields went 13 - 9 with a 3.15 ERA in 34 starts.

Last season, Shields was 1 - 1 with a 1.80 ERA in 2 starts against the Yankees. This season, he is 1 - 1 in 2 starts against New York.

Michael Pineda took the hard luck loss in his last outing. Pineda allowed just 2 runs and 7 hits (including a home run) over 6 innings of work. He struck out 3 without issuing any walks. But his offense was shutout and Pineda paid the price. Since returning to the rotation August 13^th, Pineda has pitched well in his 4 starts. Even though his record is 1 -1 in those 4 outings, he has allowed just 6 runs in those appearances. Last season, Pineda spent most of the year on the disabled list after shoulder surgery in 2012. But he did go 1 - 1 with an ERA of 3.86 at Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Pineda got his last victory a little over a week ago against the Royals. He held Kansas City to a run (on a solo homer) and 5 hits in 6.1 innings.

Kansas City Royals Betting Trends

Kansas City Royals are 60-71-7 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Kansas City Royals is 0.2

New York Yankees Betting Trends

New York Yankees are 56-78-3 against the Over/Under

Run differential for New York Yankees is -0.2

Injuries to Watch

Kansas City Royals

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)

New York Yankees

09/04/14 RF Martin Prado Hamstring questionable
08/05/14 P David Phelps Elbow 15-day DL (8/4)
07/10/14 P Masahiro Tanaka Elbow 60-day DL (7/9)
05/11/14 P CC Sabathia Knee 60-day DL (5/11); out for season
04/20/14 P Ivan Nova Elbow 60-day DL (4/20); out for season

Guy's Pick: Take Kansas City

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