Friday, August 28, 2015

Tropicana Field

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Edinson Volquez (11-7) vs. Erasmo Ramirez (10-4)

The Kansas City Royals visit Tropicana Field on Friday to play the Tampa Bay Rays. The Royals send Edinson Volquez to the mound to face Erasmo Ramirez of the Rays. The opening line for this matchup has Kansas City at -105 and Tampa Bay at -105. The over/under was set at 7.5. The Royals, with a 70-56 run line record, cover the spread 56% of the time. They also have a 54-60 over/under record. The Rays are 69-57 against the run line and have a 56-61 over/under record. They cover the spread 55% of the time.

The Royals show up with a 77-49 record, including 33-28 on the road. Edinson Volquez has an earned run average of 3.40 and is 11-7 so far on the season while having a 1.26 WHIP. In his starts, the Royals are 18-8 over his 158.2 innings pitched this season while giving up 143 hits during those innings. Against the over/under, the Royals are 12-11 in his starts. The team is averaging 5 runs when he starts. The bullpen's earned run average is currently 2.34 and they've given up 312 hits on the season. Teams are hitting .206 against the bullpen while being struck out 380 times and walking 135 times this season. As a team, Kansas City has allowed 8.34 hits per nine innings while striking out 6.95 batters per nine. They are 7th in the league in team earned run average at 3.59.

Kansas City is batting .270 as a team, which is good for 2nd in the league and hitting .261 away from home. Ranked at 9th in the league in on-base percentage, the Royals sit at .322 and they hold a .408 team slugging percentage. They rank 4th in baseball with 9.21 hits per game and Eric Hosmer leads the team with 146.

Tampa Bay is 30-31 at home while holding a 62-64 overall record on the season. Erasmo Ramirez is starting this game 10-4 for the season with an earned run average of 3.66 and a WHIP of 1.11. In his starts, the Rays are 14-6 and he has allowed 103 hits over 123 innings pitched this season. Against the over/under, the Rays are 8-10 when he starts. The team is averaging 4.3 runs when he takes the field. The bullpen's earned run average is currently at 3.90 and they have given up 369 hits on the season. Teams are hitting .234 against the Rays bullpen while being struck out 401 times and walking 149 times this season. As a team, Tampa Bay has allowed 8.04 hits per nine innings while striking out 8.46 batters per nine. They are 10th in the league in team earned run average at 3.70.

They are batting .247 as a team, which is good for 24th in the league and hitting .245 at home. Ranked at 18th in the league in on-base percentage, the Rays sit at .311 and they hold a .393 team slugging percentage. They rank 26th in baseball with 8.29 hits per game and Evan Longoria leads the team with 126.

The Royals have committed 67 errors and have combined for 1,257 assists and 3,373 put outs leading to a .986 team fielding percentage. For the home team, they hold a .984 team fielding percentage while committing 73 errors, accumulating 1095 assists and compiling 3,381 put outs.

Kansas City Royals Betting Trends

The Kansas City Royals are 54-60 against the over/under so far this season

The Kansas City Royals are 70-56 against the run line so far this season

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Trends

The Tampa Bay Rays are 56-61 against the over/under so far this season

The Tampa Bay Rays are 69-57 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Kansas City Royals

08/27/15 1B Eric Hosmer Rest is not expected to be in the starting lineup Thursday vs. Baltimore Orioles
08/27/15 CF Lorenzo Cain Rest is not expected to be in the starting lineup Thursday vs. Baltimore Orioles
07/22/15 P Jason Vargas Elbow Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/22); out for season
07/09/15 LF Alex Gordon Groin Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/9)
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)

Tampa Bay Rays

08/26/15 C Curt Casali Hamstring Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/25)
08/26/15 CF Desmond Jennings Knee "?" Thursday vs. Minnesota Twins
08/21/15 P Jake McGee Knee Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/19)
08/01/15 RF Steven Souza Hand Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/2)
05/09/15 P Alex Cobb Forearm Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27), out for season
04/29/15 P Kirby Yates Pectoral Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (4/29)
04/18/15 P Jeff Beliveau Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/22), out for season

Guy's Pick: Take the Rays

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Guy Bruhn