Friday, August 22, 2014

Globe Life Park in Arlington

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Right-hander Yordano Ventura (9-9) will be making the start for the Kansas City Royals on Friday night when they take on Colby Lewis (8-10) and the Texas Rangers.

Yordano Ventura ended up taking the loss last Saturday when he was defeated by the Minnesota Twins on the road. He pitched 6.2 innings in that outing and allowed three runs on four hits while walking a season-high six batters and striking out four. He currently has a 3.48 ERA on the season and has struck out 119 batters in 139.2 innings of work.

Rangers first baseman Mike Carp has no hits in three at-bats versus Ventura in his career with a walk and no strikeouts. All of the other Rangers will be facing him for the first time on Friday night.

Last Saturday, big right-hander Colby Lewis gave up five earned runs in six innings of work against the Los Angeles Angels and ended up losing his second consecutive game. He allowed 10 hits in that outing and struck out a season-high 10 batters while walking zero. Lewis now has a 5.52 ERA on the season and has given up 12.1 hits per nine innings.

Royals veteran Josh Willingham has seven hits in 22 at-bats against Lewis with three doubles, three home runs and five RBI. Raul Ibanez is just 1-for-9 against him with three walks and two strikeouts.

Kansas City Royals Betting Trends

Kansas City Royals are 58-62-5 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Kansas City Royals is 0.3

Texas Rangers Betting Trends

Texas Rangers are 56-61-8 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Texas Rangers is -1.1

Injuries to Watch

Kansas City Royals

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)

Texas Rangers

08/13/14 P Yu Darvish Elbow 15-day DL (8/10)
07/26/14 LF Jake Smolinski Foot 15-day DL (7/22)
06/11/14 P Tanner Scheppers Elbow 15-day DL (6/11)
06/10/14 1B Mitch Moreland Ankle 15-day DL (6/8)
06/04/14 P Alexi Ogando Elbow 60-day DL (6/3)
06/04/14 P Matt Harrison Back 60-day DL (5/14), out for season
05/22/14 1B Prince Fielder Neck 60-day DL (5/17)
05/21/14 P Martin Perez Elbow 60-day DL (5/11)
04/25/14 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff Back 60-day DL (4/23); out for season
04/23/14 P Pedro Figueroa Elbow 60-day DL (4/23)
03/31/14 2B Jurickson Profar Shoulder 60-day DL (3/23)
03/28/14 RF Engel Beltre Leg 60-day DL (3/26)

Guy's Pick: Take Texas

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