Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Fans at Kauffman Stadium will have a chance to see a game between the first place Kansas City Royals from the American League Central and the last place Texas Rangers from the AL West. The surprising Royals will send right-hander Jeremy Guthrie (10-10) to the mound to take on left-hander Derek Holland (0-0).

The debate regarding Holland and his 2014 season has been an issue. With nothing to play for aside from pride, some fans and pundits felt that allowing Holland to even pitch this season coming off a knee injury was a dangerous move to make. After a terrible rehab stint, the Rangers decided to call Holland up to make the start against the Royals and will hope he pitches like the man who went 16-5 in 2011 and 12-7 in 2012. In his career against current Royals, he has allowed 29 hits in 89 at-bats with 3 home runs allowed.

The Royals have quickly gone from laughingstock to true contender and will hope to rack up more W's when Guthrie takes the hill against the Rangers. While Guthrie doesn't have the best stats, he still delivers each start. In his past 3 starts, he has allowed 10 earned runs in 21 innings, but has gone 2-0 to reach .500. When he takes the mound against the Rangers, he will be facing players that are collectively batting .265 (52-for-196) against him including .409 for Elvis Andrus, .279 for Alex Rios, and just .211 for Adrian Beltre.

Texas Rangers Betting Trends

Texas Rangers are 59-67-10 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Texas Rangers is -1

Kansas City Royals Betting Trends

Kansas City Royals are 60-68-7 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Kansas City Royals is 0.2

Injuries to Watch

Texas Rangers

08/29/14 LF James Adduci Concussion 7-day DL (8/29)
08/26/14 LF Shin-Soo Choo Elbow 60-day DL (8/26), out for season
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 60-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)

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)

Tony's Pick: Take Kansas City

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