Monday, June 22, 2015

Safeco Field

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Joe Blanton (1-0) vs. Felix Hernandez (10-3)

The Seattle Mariners host the Kansas City Royals at Safeco Field on Monday. The Royals send Joe Blanton to the mound to face Felix Hernandez of the Mariners. The opening line for this matchup has Kansas City at +158 and Seattle at -168. The over/under was set at 6.5. The Royals, with a 38-27 run line record, cover the spread 59% of the time. They also have a 29-31 over/under record. The Mariners have a 29-38 over/under record and a 26-43 run line mark, which means they are covering the spread 38% of the time.

The Royals head into this matchup with a 39-26 record, including 17-14 on the road. Starting pitcher Joe Blanton holds a 1-0 record with an earned run average of 1.80 and a WHIP of 1.10. He's pitched 20 innings thus far while surrendering 19 hits over that time and when he starts, the Royals are 1-0. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 1-0. The team is averaging 10 runs when he starts. The bullpen has given up 151 hits on the season and have a earned run average of 1.91. Opposing teams are hitting .193 against the Royals bullpen while walking 75 times and striking out 191 times. Kansas City is averaging 6.73 strikeouts per game while getting 8.02 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 5th in baseball in team earned run average at 3.41.

Kansas City is batting .274 as a team, which is good for 1st in the league and hitting .272 away from home. The Royals on-base percentage sits at .324, which puts them at 7th in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .413. Mike Moustakas leads the team in hits with 78 while the team ranks 1st in baseball with 9.37 hits per game.

With a 16-20 home record, Seattle will hope to improve on their 32-37 overall mark. With an earned run average of 3.08, Felix Hernandez will come into this game holding a 10-3 record and a 1.01 WHIP. He's pitched 90.2 innings thus far while surrendering 65 hits over that time in which the Mariners are 11-3. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 3-10. The team is averaging 3.1 runs when he takes the field. The bullpen has given up 186 hits on the season and have a team earned run average of 3.71. Opposing teams are hitting .235 against the Mariners bullpen while walking 86 times and striking out 185 times. Seattle is averaging 7.67 strikeouts per game while getting 8.32 hits per nine innings as a team. They rank 14th in the league in team earned run average at 3.80.

They are batting .233 as a team, which is good for 30th in the league and hitting .240 at home. The Mariners on-base percentage sits at .295, which puts them at 27th in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .377. Nelson Cruz leads the team in hits with 79 while the team ranks 30th in baseball with 7.83 hits a game.

In terms of team defense, the Royals have a fielding percentage of .985 with 35 total errors, 637 assists and 1,728 put outs. The Mariners have committed 37 errors on the season with 711 assists and 1,862 put outs leading to a team fielding percentage of .986 on the year.

Kansas City Royals Betting Trends

The Kansas City Royals are 29-31 against the over/under so far this season

The Kansas City Royals are 38-27 against the run line so far this season

Seattle Mariners Betting Trends

The Seattle Mariners are 29-38 against the over/under so far this season

The Seattle Mariners are 26-43 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Kansas City Royals

06/20/15 P Danny Duffy Bicep Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (5/23), expected to be activated and start Wednesday vs. Seattle Mariners
06/18/15 P Yordano Ventura Hand Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (6/13)
05/17/15 P Brian Flynn Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (5/16)
04/06/15 P Tim Collins Elbow Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (4/6)
04/04/15 P Kris Medlen Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/07)

Seattle Mariners

06/04/15 P David Rollins Suspension 80-game suspension, eligible to return 7/4 vs. Oakland
05/29/15 P James Paxton Finger Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (5/29)
04/25/15 P Hisashi Iwakuma Back Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (4/21)

Josh's Pick: Take the Mariners

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