Saturday, July 4, 2015

Kauffman Stadium

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Mike Pelfrey (5-5) vs. Joe Blanton (2-1)

The Minnesota Twins head to Kauffman Stadium on Saturday to take on the Kansas City Royals. Mike Pelfrey is the probable starter for the Twins and he'll face Joe Blanton of the Royals. The opening line for this matchup has Minnesota at +149 and Kansas City at -159. The over/under was set at 8.5. The Twins have a 37-37 over/under record and a 48-31 run line mark, meaning they cover 61% of the time. The Royals are 44-32 against the run line and have a 33-35 over/under record. They cover the spread 58% of the time.

The Twins head into this matchup with a 42-37 record, including 17-22 on the road. Mike Pelfrey has an earned run average of 3.81 and is 5-5 so far on the season while having a 1.44 WHIP. In his starts, the Twins are 9-6 over his 87.1 innings pitched this season while giving up 97 hits during those innings. The Twins are also 6-8 against the over/under in his starts. He is getting 4.1 runs from the team when he takes the mound. The bullpen's earned run average is currently 3.90 and they've given up 237 hits on the season. The bullpen has struck out 157 and walked 74 batters this season while opposing teams hit .258 against them. Minnesota has a team average of 9.48 hits allowed per game and are averaging 5.98 strikeouts per nine innings. With a team earned run average of 3.89, they are 15th in the league.

As a team, Minnesota is batting .251, good for 18th in the league while putting together a .226 average away from home. Ranked at 24th in the league in on-base percentage, the Twins sit at .303 and they hold a .391 team slugging percentage. With 81 hits, Brian Dozier leads the team while his team ranks 20th in hits per game with 8.35.

With a 22-14 home record, Kansas City will hope to improve on their 44-32 overall mark. Joe Blanton is starting this game 2-1 for the season with an earned run average of 3.14 and a WHIP of 1.15. In his starts, the Royals are 2-1 and he has allowed 26 hits over 28.2 innings pitched this season. The Royals are also 1-1 against the over/under in his starts. He is getting 5 runs from the team when he takes the mound. The bullpen's earned run average is currently at 2.07 and they have given up 175 hits on the season. The Royals bullpen has struck out 227 batters and walked 87 this season while opposing teams have hit .192 against them. Kansas City has a team average of 8.07 hits per game and are averaging 6.91 strikeouts per nine innings. With a team earned run average of 3.54, they are 9th in the league.

As a team, they are batting .269, good for 3rd in the league while putting together a .273 average at Safeco Field. Ranked at 13th in the league in on-base percentage, the Royals sit at .319 and they hold a .402 team slugging percentage. With 85 hits, Mike Moustakas leads the team while his team ranks 3rd in hits per game with 9.17.

The Twins have committed 46 errors and have combined for 824 assists and 2,098 put outs leading to a .985 team fielding percentage. Over the course of this season, the Royals have accumlated 39 errors while having 737 assists and 2,013 put outs leading to a .986 fielding percentage.

Minnesota Twins Betting Trends

The Minnesota Twins are 37-37 against the over/under so far this season

The Minnesota Twins are 48-31 against the run line so far this season

Kansas City Royals Betting Trends

The Kansas City Royals are 33-35 against the over/under so far this season

The Kansas City Royals are 44-32 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Minnesota Twins

07/03/15 CF Shane Robinson Personal out indefinitely
06/26/15 CF Byron Buxton Thumb Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (6/25)
06/04/15 P Ricky Nolasco Ankle Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (6/1)
05/16/15 CF Jordan Schafer Knee Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (5/16)
04/04/15 P Ervin Santana Suspension expected to miss 80 games, expected to start Sunday vs. Kansas City Royals

Kansas City Royals

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)

Guy's Pick: Take the Royals

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