Monday, July 7, 2014, 7:10 PM on FSKC, SUN

Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida

Kansas City Royals - Shields, J (8-4) vs. Tampa Bay Rays - Odorizzi, J (4-7)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

On Monday night, James Shields will go for his ninth win of the season when he and the Kansas City Royals take on Jake Odorizzi and the Tampa Bay Rays.

Last Tuesday, James Shields gave up five runs to the Minnesota Twins and ended up suffering his fourth loss of the season. He pitched five innings in that game and surrendered nine hits while striking out five batters and walking two. Shields now has an 8-4 record on the year with a 3.93 ERA, but he has struck out 129 batters in 116.2 innings.

Rays outfielder Matthew Joyce has two hits in his five at-bats against Shields with a home run and two RBI. Catcher Jose Molina is just 2-for-11 against him with one strikeout.

Right-hander Jake Odorizzi was able to pick up his fourth win of the year last Wednesday when he beat the New York Yankees on the road. He pitched 5.2 innings in that start and allowed three earned runs on eight hits while walking one batter and striking out four. Odorizzi has been able to strike out 101 batters in 88.1 innings and he currently has a 4.18 ERA.

Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer has three hits off of Odorizzi in four at-bats with a walk and a home run. Alex Gordon is 2-for-4 against him with a home run and four RBI.

Kansas City Royals Betting Trends

Kansas City Royals are 40-40-4 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Kansas City Royals is 0.2

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Trends

Tampa Bay Rays are 42-42-4 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Tampa Bay Rays is -0.4

Injuries to Watch

Kansas City Royals

06/21/14 RF Norichika Aoki Groin 15-day DL (6/21)
03/30/14 P Luke Hochevar Elbow 60-day DL (3/21)

Tampa Bay Rays

07/01/14 SS Yunel Escobar Shoulder 15-day DL (6/25)
06/24/14 LF Jerry Sands Wrist 15-day DL (6/22)
06/19/14 LF David DeJesus Hand 15-day DL (6/19)
06/01/14 RF Wil Myers Wrist 15-day DL (5/31)
04/08/14 P Matt Moore Elbow 60-day DL (4/8), out for season
03/30/14 2B Tim Beckham Knee 60-day DL (3/30)
03/28/14 P Jeremy Hellickson Elbow 15-day DL (3/30)

Guy's Pick: Take Kansas City

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