Tuesday, July 8, 2014, 7:10 PM on FSKC, SUN

Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida

Kansas City Royals - Vargas, J (8-3) vs. Tampa Bay Rays - Hellickson, J (0-0)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Kansas City Royals left-hander Jason Vargas will be on the mound on Tuesday night and will be facing Jeremy Hellickson, who will be making his first start of the year for the Tampa Bay Rays.

Jason Vargas had one of his better outings of the season last Wednesday against the Minnesota Twins on the road and he picked up his eighth win of the year. He pitched seven scoreless innings in that game and gave up just four hits while walking two and striking out five. Vargas has an 8-3 record this season with a solid 3.32 ERA and he has only walked two batters per nine innings.

Cubs second baseman Ben Zobrist has 11 hits in his 26 at-bats against Vargas with four doubles, a home run and six RBI. Sean Rodriguez has just two hits against him in 19 at-bats with five strikeouts.

Jeremy Hellickson hasn't pitched since last season for the Rays and will get the start despite not pitching very well in the minors this season. In six starts between single and Triple-A, Hellickson had a 1-4 record with a 6.23 ERA and he gave up a whopping 40 hits in 21.1 innings of work.

Royals designated hitter Billy Butler has a .643 batting average against Hellickson in 14 at-bats with two doubles and two RBI. Eric Hosmer is just 2-for-12 against him with four strikeouts.

Kansas City Royals Betting Trends

Kansas City Royals are 42-41-4 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Kansas City Royals is 0.1

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Trends

Tampa Bay Rays are 45-42-4 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Tampa Bay Rays is -0.3

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)

Tony's Pick: Take Kansas City

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